Research on suicide risk and prevention. Covers screening and skills programs, youth emergency visits, and neighborhood risk factors.
A Swedish study of over 700,000 young adults found that low birthweight and being born to a teenage mother are independent risk factors for increased suicide risk. The study also showed that individuals born fourth or more in sibling order and those from poor maternal socio-economic backgrounds are at higher risk of attempted suicide.
A recent study found that people with schizophrenia in China are 24 times more likely to die by suicide than those without the condition. The research suggests a possible link between the prevalence of schizophrenia and suicide in women, who make up a larger proportion of those affected.
A recent study found that sex and drug use behaviors are associated with higher levels of depression, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among teenagers. Girls who engage in high-risk behaviors are more vulnerable to poor mental health than boys.
The TADS study found that treatment combining fluoxetine with CBT was superior to each alone in improving rates of response for adolescents with MDD. Clinically significant suicidal thinking improved significantly in all four treatment groups, with the greatest reduction seen in those receiving fluoxetine and CBT.
A stage one trial found that fluoxetine plus CBT offered greater effectiveness in treatment than the drug alone for adolescents diagnosed with MDD. Combination therapy proved superior to fluoxetine and CBT alone, with a 71 percent response rate.
State gun safe storage laws, which require gun owners to lock up their guns, were associated with a 8.3% decrease in suicide rates among 14- to 17-year-olds. The study found that these laws may have prevented 333 suicides among this age group between 1989 and 2001.
State CAP laws associated with an 8.3% reduction in youth suicide rates for 14- to 17-year-olds, particularly those using firearms. The study estimates that over 300 youth suicides were prevented, saving 35 lives in 2001.
Regular family meals are associated with better nutritional intake, lower substance use, and improved emotional health among adolescent girls. The study found that frequent family mealtimes can be a protective factor against various negative outcomes, including suicidal involvement.
Experts disagree on acetaminophen's safety; William M. Lee advocates for stricter regulation to reduce overdoses, while Barry H. Rumack suggests therapeutic doses are safe and most cases may be intentional overdose attempts.
The study suggests that the risk of suicidal behavior is similar among users of different antidepressant drugs, including SSRIs and tricyclic antidepressants. The risk of suicidal behavior is highest in the first month after starting treatment, particularly within the first nine days.
The study examined brain tissue from 17 teenage suicide victims and 17 control subjects without psychiatric illness. Researchers found statistically significant decreases in protein kinase C (PKC) activity in certain brain areas of the suicide victims' brains, suggesting a potential link to therapeutic intervention.
Elderly individuals with chronic illnesses like depression, bipolar disorder, and severe pain are at increased risk of suicide. Researchers found that treatment for multiple illnesses also strongly correlates with an increased risk of suicide in this population.
Two randomized trials compared low-carbohydrate diets with low-fat diets, finding improved triglyceride levels and slightly improved HDL cholesterol levels on the low-carb diet. Participants on the low-carb diet also lost more weight in the short-term study, but both groups lost similar amounts of weight in the 12-month study.
A study by Gabriella Milos and colleagues found that women with anorexia were more likely to have suicidal thoughts than those with bulimia or other disorders. The researchers also discovered a link between purging behaviors and increased suicide risk, suggesting a possible connection to lack of impulse control.
Adolescents with co-occurring substance use and psychiatric disorders are at higher risk of attempting suicide. The study found that males with hallucinogen or sedative-hypnotic use disorders were more likely to attempt suicide, while females with conduct disorders were at higher risk.
A study published in The Lancet reveals that southern India has the world's highest rates of suicide among young people, particularly young women. The study found that suicide accounted for between half and three-quarters of deaths among young women, highlighting a need for urgent intervention.
A study found that care managers can significantly improve clinical outcomes for patients with depression, reducing suicidal thoughts and improving treatment response rates. The intervention, which involved structured treatment guidelines and regular follow-up, led to faster resolution of suicidal thinking in patients who received it.
A primary care-based intervention reduced suicidal ideation in older adults with depression by over two-thirds, with improved depressive symptoms and risk of suicide. The program, called PROSPECT, used a clinical algorithm and treatment management by trained clinicians to improve treatment quality.
Research suggests that exposure to even small amounts of alcohol or anesthetics can trigger brain cell suicide, leading to permanent cognitive impairment. The findings support the idea that fetal alcohol syndrome is a result of toxic effects on the developing human brain.
Studies find that prenatal exposure to lead, alcohol, and anesthetic drugs can cause brain damage in young adults. Research suggests that these substances trigger apoptosis, a form of cell death, by interfering with neural connections.
Girls are nearly twice as likely to think about suicide if they have only a few friends and feel isolated from their peers. Boys, on the other hand, do not show a significant relationship between friendships and suicidal thoughts.
A study found that suicidal minority teens often lack adult support, with 15% considering suicide in the past year and 11% attempting it. Latino girls and LGBTQ+ teens are disproportionately affected, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Statistics expert Utts identifies seven common ways statistics are misinterpreted in news reports, including confusion about cause-and-effect relationships. She advises readers to consider possible alternate explanations when interpreting observational studies.
A new approach to monitoring suicide trends suggests that favourable overall rates may hide increasing rates of years lost due to suicide among young people. This analysis of English and Welsh data reveals a potential decline in life expectancy for this age group.
Scientists at Wake Forest are studying the genetic defects that allow cancer cells to resist cell death, in hopes of developing new treatments. They will use normal cells converted into cancer cells through controlled mutations to understand how resistance occurs.
Researchers at UCSB have identified a cell survival gene, ICD-1, that prevents normal cells from committing suicide. The discovery may lead to new treatments for degenerative diseases such as ALS, stroke, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.
A European study of over 20,000 deaths in six countries found that end-of-life decisions were common, with administration of drugs to hasten death varying significantly between countries. The study highlights the need for further exploration of end-of-life care practices and attitudes towards physician-assisted death.
Hospice nurses reported that patients who hastened death by refusing food and fluids were ready to die, saw no meaning in living, and had poor quality of life. These patients died within 15 days after stopping food and fluids, with a median score of 8 for the quality of their deaths.
A study published in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research found that middle-aged and older alcoholics are at greater risk for suicide than young alcoholic adults. The researchers also discovered an association between increased age, mood disorders, and medically serious suicide attempts.
A study found that people with a gun in their home are almost twice as likely to die in a gun-related homicide and 16 times more likely to use a gun to commit suicide than those without. Handguns account for most domestic homicides and suicides, highlighting the dangers of gun ownership.
Elderly alcoholics with marital and partner relationship difficulties are at increased risk of suicide. Researchers also found that medically serious suicide attempters with alcoholism often have mood disorders and financial difficulties.
A study of US women's suicides found that white women are three times more likely to die by suicide than black women. The key findings suggest the need for targeted prevention programs and better data collection on suicidal behaviors.
A professor's theory suggests that young people who choose identities that can only limit or end their lives are more likely to engage in suicide terrorism. This is due to a combination of factors, including the role of conflict and oppression in shaping their identities, as well as the promise of validation through sacrifice.
The 36th Annual AAS Conference will address key themes such as suicide among adolescents, the 'Graying of America,' and male resistance to seeking help. The conference aims to reduce suicide rates through collaboration and expertise from researchers, clinicians, and specialists across various populations.
A Mayo Clinic Proceedings study found that overall mortality is not increased among community patients with anorexia nervosa. However, deaths do occur, and further research is needed to define the association of suicide and alcoholism in these patients. The study adds to the knowledge of anorexia nervosa's long-term consequences.
An anthropologist reveals that most suicide terrorists are educated and economically well-off individuals who feel despair and are manipulated by elites. To combat this, empower moderates within communities and strengthen interactions between different groups.
A study by Maria A. Oquendo and colleagues found that people with comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression have a higher risk of suicidal behavior. The research highlights the importance of assessing depressed patients for PTSD to determine accurate risk for suicide.
Research highlights the strong association between gambling disorders (GDs) and alcohol use disorders (AUDs), suggesting therapy should focus on breaking unconscious associations between winning and drinking. Co-therapy may lead to better outcomes for GDs, particularly among those with AUDs.
A study examining ephedra's effects found it was more likely to cause negative side effects than other herbs; sale of ephedra as a supplement should be restricted or banned due to increased risk. A hospital discharge period is also deemed dangerous for patients, with one in five experiencing adverse events after going home.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that single-parent children are at a higher risk of experiencing severe health outcomes, including psychiatric disease, suicide attempts, injury, and addiction. Children in single-parent households were twice as likely to have psychiatric disease compared to those in two-parent households.
A study found that teens who engage in extreme dieting are more likely to smoke, use marijuana, and experience suicidal thoughts. Moderate dieters were less likely to exhibit these behaviors, suggesting a link between extreme dieting and underlying issues of self-esteem or peer influence.
Researchers found no significant differences in TPH protein level or 5HT2A receptor density between suicide victims and controls. The A218C polymorphism of the TPH gene was shown to alter TPH protein level, suggesting its role in serotonergic function rather than biological suicidality.
Research in China identifies eight significant risk factors for suicide, including depression, previous attempts, and chronic stress. The study suggests that focusing on individual risk factors may not be effective in reducing suicide rates, emphasizing the importance of a multi-factor approach to prevention.
A study examining causes of death among people in custody in Ontario between 1990-1999 revealed that violent deaths were significantly higher in federal and provincial inmate populations compared to the general male population. Natural causes, such as cardiovascular disease, accounted for a majority of the deaths.
A study published in The Lancet found that individuals with a family history of completed suicide and mental illness are two and a half times more likely to commit suicide than those without such a history. A family history of psychiatric illness increased suicide risk by around 50% for those without a prior psychiatric history.
A recent study found that the suicide attempt rate is high among urban gay men, with younger generations experiencing earlier attempts. Researchers attribute this trend to increased anti-gay harassment and lack of social support among young LGBTQ+ individuals.
A study of 835 public-housing residents in Baltimore found that strong religious and social support were key 'protective' factors against suicidal thoughts, with 90% reporting comfort from religion. These findings may inform interventions to prevent suicide among older African Americans.
A study of 246 women with eating disorders found that those with anorexia nervosa were 57 times more likely to commit suicide. Women with bulimia nervosa were also at risk, particularly those with depression and anorexic symptoms.
Two studies found that hungry children are more likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts, as well as lower academic performance. One study analyzed data from over 700 adolescents and found those living in food-insecure households were five times more likely to attempt suicide.
A study found that nearly 16% of alcoholics had attempted suicide, and first-degree relatives of those who attempted suicide were more likely to have made attempts as well. The risk factors included a history of severe alcohol dependence and psychiatric disorders.
A study by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention found that students were significantly less likely to report considering suicide after the Columbine incident, but the incidence of attempts remained unchanged. The fear of unsafe schools varied depending on location, with urban teens showing a notable increase in safety concerns.
A study found that suicide rates among African-American males aged 15-24 increased by 14% from 1979 to 1997, while gun-related suicides rose to 70%. Healthcare providers should ask depressed youths about firearm access.
A study found suicide rates are three times higher in rural areas than urban environments and 25% more common in women than men in China. Suicide accounted for 19% of all deaths among people aged 15-34 years, making it the leading cause of death in this age group.
The incidence of second primary colorectal cancer is high despite regular surveillance colonoscopy after treatment of the initial cancer. Many second cancers were diagnosed within one year after a normal colonoscopy, indicating the need for further research to determine the best schedule for surveying the colon.
A study found significant cultural differences in depression attitudes between Protestants and Jews, particularly among Jewish men who were less likely to use alcohol as an escape from depression. The research also revealed gender differences in attitudes towards alcohol and suicide.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that mentally ill patients are at a significantly higher risk of dying from homicide compared to the general population. The study analyzed data from over 72,000 individuals and revealed that those with mental illness were six times more likely to die by homicide.
A study published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that stroke victims are at twice the risk of suicide compared to the general population. The increased risk remains for up to five years after the stroke, with patients under 50 and those hospitalized for less than two weeks being particularly vulnerable.
A new 'double suicide gene' therapy has shown promise in treating prostate cancer by carrying pairs of fused genes directly into cancer cells and inducing self-destruction. The technique achieved "greater levels of targeted cytotoxicity" than single suicide gene therapy, with minimal toxicities reported among patients.
Researchers found four mental health factors beyond depression that predict suicidal behavior in individuals with panic disorder, including overall anxiety level and fear of losing one's mind. The study suggests that these additional factors contribute to the development of suicidal thoughts, even when depression is present.
A study suggests that traumatic events can significantly impair individuals, leading to elevated suicidal thoughts, even in those with subthreshold PTSD. The presence of comorbid disorders plays a crucial role in understanding the impairment caused by partial PTSD.