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How are depression and suicide related?
Many people wonder if depression increases the risk of suicide and, if so, by how much. Although the majority of people who have depression do not die by suicide, having clinical depression (also known as major depression) does increase the suicide risk compared to people without depression. The risk of death by suicide may, in part, be related to the severity of the depression. New data on suicide and depression suggests that about 2 percent of those people ever treated for depression in an outpatient setting will die by suicide. Among those ever treated for depression in an inpatient hospital setting, the rate of death by suicide is twice as high (4 percent). Those treated for depression as inpatients following suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts are about three times as likely to die by suicide (6 percent) as those who were only treated as outpatients. There are also dramatic gender differences in the lifetime risk of suicide in people with depression. While about 7 percent of men with a lifetime history of the condition will die by suicide, only 1 percent of women with a lifetime history will die by suicide. Another way of thinking about depression and suicide risk is to examine the lives of people who have died by suicide and see what proportion of them were depressed. It is estimated that about 60 percent of people who commit suicide have had a mood disorder (major depression, manic depression, or dysthymia, for example). Often, younger persons who kill themselves have a substance abuse disorder in addition to being depressed.
Can depression lead to suicide?
Yes, depression is a significant risk factor for suicide. People with depression may experience feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, which can lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors. It is important for individuals experiencing depression to seek help from a mental health professional or a crisis hotline if they are having thoughts of suicide.
Why does depression lead to suicide?
Many people who are depressed see no end in sight to the sadness and stress in their life. If someone is depressed, sees no positive end and they have no support system - no one to help them - then many will turn to finding the only way out of their situation. Sometimes suicide is the only idea they have and without someone to help redirect their perspective they may be successful.
What are some of the symptoms of the mental disorder depression?
Most people have periods when they feel sad, but when these feelings last for prolonged periods of time it may be due to depression. Some of the common symptoms of depression are long lasting sadness, social withdrawal, changes in sleeping patterns, loss of appetite, thoughts about suicide and strong feelings of anger.
Why do people think being depressed means I'm suicidal?
Some people may mistakenly assume that being depressed automatically means a person is suicidal because they associate depression with extreme sadness and hopelessness. However, depression is a complex mental health condition that can present differently in each person. While suicidal thoughts can be a symptom of depression, many individuals experience depression without having thoughts of suicide. It's important for individuals to seek help and support if they are feeling depressed, regardless of whether or not they are having suicidal thoughts.
