A Serious Connection Between Suicide and Depression
Severe depression is a real illness than can often affect a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as cause them to intentionally kill themselves, or commit what is termed suicide. The majority of depressed people do not actually die from suicide, but depression does trigger a higher suicidal risk.
New data has reported that two percent of depressed people who have received treatment for depression in an outpatient scenario might die by suicide. Of those treated in an inpatient setting, 4 percent are likely to attempt suicide. Those who have a history of suicide are more likely to die by suicide later on. Other research shows that 7 percent of men with a history of depression will eventually kill themselves whereas only 1 percent of women with history of depression will do so.
The most common method of suicide is by the use of firearms, as it makes up 60 percent of suicides in both genders. From a study by the National Institute of Mental Health, about 80 percent of white males commit suicide by shooting themselves, with the next most common method for men being hanging. Drug overdose or self-poisoning is the second most common suicidal method for women.
However, there are additional risk factors when it comes to a possible suicide besides depression. Sometimes, traumatic life events such as financial difficulties, the death of a loved one or other trials can pose another risk factor for suicidal thoughts and actions. Often a person who grows up in a family with a history of suicide, and they were exposed to suicidal attempts or an actual suicide, can result in a “suicide contagion.” This could easily be a risk factor for a family member who might choose suicide themselves. Family violence is another trigger; if one is physically or sexually abused, he or she might turn to suicide to end the ordeal. Other risk factors include alcohol or drug abuse and a history of previous suicide attempts.
Depression is a major problem that needs to be dealt with immediately to help a person keep thoughts of suicide out of their head. It is important that a suicidal person get professional treatment and therapy as quickly as possible. Usually, those who are thinking of killing themselves do not know they need help. There is a link between suicide and depression, but often if the depression is treated the chance of suicide will be greatly decreased.
Depression in all its forms is a serious problem. Bipolar depression, also known as manic depressive disorder, is particularly problematic and leads to numerous difficulties. Click here to learn more about manic depressive illness.