Suicide and Mental Illness

Bipolar Affective Disorder or Manic Depression is a disorder in which there are extreme fluctuations in mood: periods of depression alternating with periods of elation and excitement known as highs or mania. Persons with bipolar disorder are at a higher risk for suicide, 

However, medication can lessen the symptoms in about approximately 80 percent in most cases, reducing the risk of suicide.

Many of the chronically ill with mental illnesses require long term care; the rest make a partial recovery. Research shows that suicide risk is raised for all mental illnesses and those who are substance abuses.  Suicidal thoughts and behavior, past and present, increase the risk significantly.

People with severe mental health problems are less likely to be employed or married and the illness itself may cause a situation of social isolation.  By themselves they increase the risk of suicide. 

Studies on people with mental disorder who have received psychiatric care as an in patient, involuntary commitment or long term hospitalization; reveals that the risk of suicide is higher for those who were admitted involuntarily.  The recently discharged and recently admitted are at especially high risk. 

People with mental health problems may remain at high risk of suicide even after they appear to be well. 

Studies show that bipolar disorder or manic depressions have an average suicide risk on the average of 15-25 times that of the general population.  The risk of suicide is increased by a past suicide attempt and alcohol abuse.  

Research involving people diagnosed with major depression shows that they have an increased risk of suicide.  The risk is highest in the first few weeks following discharge from hospital. Less severe forms of depression show a reduction of suicide risk. Older depressed people may be at higher risk of suicide. 

Anxiety states also show higher suicide risk.  Studies which have examined anxiety, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder shows that anxiety states in general have a 10-percent increased risk of suicide. 

Studies on personality disorders showed that people who had received psychiatric inpatient treatment and had a severe problem were seven times more likely to be at risk of suicide more than the general public. 

Personality disorders have also been found to be common in people who have been seen at hospital for self harm. 

There have been little studies on the connection of mental disorder and suicide although researchers are continually trying to prove that the link between the two does exist.  Further study has to be done to reduce the statistics.  Fortunately the drugs of choice are very effective in reducing the risk of death by suicide and the majority of the mentally ill can be saved from this tragedy. For those who do not respond to these medications there is no real answer to the problem but in time there will be headway into the connection between suicide and mental illness.