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. While most people who are depressed will not end up committing suicide, statistics shown there is a higher risk of suicide with depression.

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. 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.

Death by firearms is the most commonly used method which constitutes up to 60 percent of all suicide attempts for 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. For women it seems that a drug overdose, or poisoning, seems to be the second most common method.

In addition to depression, there are other factors that can influence an individual to attempt 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. 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. The presence of family violence; physical or sexual abuse, is another trigger that might cause an individual to turn to suicide as an answer. Drug and alcohol abuse as well as a previous suicide attempt are other risk factors.

Depression is an issue that must be addressed in order to lessen the occurrence of suicidal thoughts. If a person is suicidal, it is a must that he receives professional treatment. Most of the time, individuals who have suicidal thoughts know that they need help. Being depressed and considering suicide are often related, but it's possible to get over the depression, and in the process alleviate the suicidal thoughts.