History of Mental Disorders, Especially Depression
Mental health diagnoses are generally associated with a higher rate of suicide. Psychological autopsy studies reflect that more than 90% of completed suicides had one or more mental disorders. Those with the following diagnoses are at particular risk: depression, schizophrenia, drug and/or chemical dependency and conduct disorders (in adolescence). The risk of suicide increases by over 50 percent in depressed individuals. Aggregated research findings suggest that about 60 percent of suicides were depressed. Chronic diseases such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease are commonly associated with depression.An estimated 19 million Americans suffer from depression. For those at risk of depression, or feel that they may be displaying characteristics of depression, there are treatment centers and local resources available (see Additional Resources). A successful approach historically has been treatment with medicine and psychotherapy. Nearly eight of ten patients with depressive illness showed improvement with this method.
SIGNS OF DEPRESSION
Depression is present if at least five or more of the following symptoms exist during a two-week period with at least one of the symptoms being either depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities.
- Depressed mood
- Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
- Change in appetite or weight
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Speaking and/or moving with unusual speed or slowness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities
- Decrease in sexual drive
- Fatigue or loss of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach or guilt
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate, slowed thinking or indecisiveness
- Thoughts of death, suicide, or wishes to be dead
FACTS ABOUT SUICIDE AND DEPRESSION
American Association of Suicidology
www.suicidology.org
Additional Information on Treating Mental Disorders and Depression
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
www.afsp.org