Learn About The Link Between Depression And Suicide

By Sean Davids

Severe depression is an illness that affects the mental, emotional and even the physical well-being of an individual and can result in that individual attempting suicide - defined as the intentional taking of one's own life. The majority of depressed people do not actually die from suicide, but depression does trigger a higher suicidal risk.

The latest available data states there's a possibility that some two percent of people who have been treated for depression through an outpatient service still might commit suicide. Even four percent of people who've been treated long term in the hospital have the potential of committing suicide, as well as someone who has tried it in the past will most likely try again and succeed. Some studies suggest that up to 7 percent of men who suffer from depression will eventually die by suicide as compared with 1 percent of women who suffer from depression.

Sixty percent of the time the most common choice of a suicide method for both men and women is to use a firearm. Based on a study done by the National Institute of Mental Health, roughly 80 percent of white men will commit suicide with a gun, while the second most chosen method is hanging. For women it seems that a drug overdose, or poisoning, seems to be the second most common method.

Other than depression, there are other risk factors for suicide. An overwhelming, traumatic event in someone's life, a financial problem, a loved one's death, or some other major emotional event might cause someone to consider the idea of taking their own life. An individual exposed to a family history of suicide or suicide attempts can sometimes become caught up in a "suicide contagion" which can lead them to suicide. 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. Drug and alcohol abuse as well as a previous suicide attempt are other risk factors.

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. - 32530

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