Depression Suicide

Depression Suicide

While it is true that most people who are suffering from depression do not kill themselves, when the condition is left untreated it could increase the risk of possible suicide.

Individuals with depression suicide often have thoughts about death, or more particularly, about dying, whether or not they intend to act on these thoughts. Moreover, it is not the severely depressed people who are more prone to suicide attempts, but those who have recovered enough energy to harm themselves.

In any case, depression suicide is a serious issue that should be addressed as soon as possible. However, depression suicide is only one among the many symptoms of a condition known as "clinical depression." And often, these suicidal tendencies manifest themselves only in moderate to severe cases, and very rarely in the extremely severe when the individual has no energy to act on the thought.

The good news, however, is that depression suicide is perfectly treatable. There are in fact many treatment options available and most cases of depression suicide have shown positive response to proper treatment.

What are the Risk Factors?

Depression suicide is a complex condition involving many risk factors. These may vary with age, gender and ethnic group. In addition, the factors may also change over time and may frequently occur in combination.

According to current research, 90 percent of people who kill themselves are suffering from depression suicide or another diagnosed mental or substance abuse disorder. Another study showed a relationship between diminished levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin and the risk of depression suicide.

It was found that patients with depression suicide, impulsive disorders, and a history of violent suicide attempts have reduced levels of serotonin. Postmortem brains of suicide victims also display the same telltale signs of diminished serotonin levels.

Adverse life events, when combined with strong risk factors, may also increase the risk of suicide. Some of the common risk factors for depression suicide include:

* One or more diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorders. The latter includes alcoholism or drug addiction while the former includes major depression.

* Impulsivity

* Adverse life events, such as death of a loved one, divorce, domestic abuse, etc.

* Family history of mental or substance abuse disorder, or a family history of depression suicide

* Prior suicide attempt

* Firearm in the home

* Incarceration

* Exposure to suicidal behavior of others, including family, peers, or in the news or fiction stories

What You Can Do

If you know of anyone or one of your friends talks to you about suicide, be alert. Contrary to what some people may believe, it is not true that people who talk about suicide will not attempt it. There are many reasons why suicidal people may make such comments and one of them may be that they are subconsciously crying out for help. You should answer that call.