Depression_Suicide

Tina B. Crews Ashford University PSY303: Abnormal Psychology Instructor: Alison Humphreys July 30, 2012 RUNNING head……….. Suicide Risks Page 1. Suicide Risks According to the article, it states that” suicide is a major, preventable public health problem. In 2007, it was the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 34,598 deaths. The overall rate was 11.3 suicide deaths per 100,000 people. An estimated 11 attempted suicides occur per every suicide death.” “Suicidal behavior is complex. Some risk factors vary with age, gender, or ethnic group and may occur in combination or change over time.” Research shows that risk factors for suicide include depression and other mental disorders, or a substance-abuse disorder (often in combination with other mental disorders). More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have these risk factors. According to the article, it states that up to 15% of those who are clinically depressed die by suicide. In 1997, suicide was the 8th leading cause of death in the United States. 10.6 out of every 100,000 persons died by suicide. The total number of suicides was approximately 30,535.In 1996 there were an estimated 500,000 suicide attempts. There are an RUNNING head……….. Suicide Risks Page 2. Estimated 8 to 25 attempted suicides to 1 completion; the ratio is higher in women and youth and lower in men and the elderly. More than four times as many men than women die by suicide. Anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or socioeconomic status, can suffer from depression. It is estimated that 19 million Americans suffer from depression every year. According to another article it states that a large-scale research studies have found that depression is about twice as common in women as in men. In the United States, researchers estimate that in any given one-year period, depressive illnesses affect 12 percent of women (more than 12 million women) and nearly seven percent of men (more than six million men).” (mentalhealthcanada.com). Among girls, the most significant risk factor for suicide is the presence of major depression, which, in some studies, increases the risk of suicide twelve-fold. Among boys, a previous suicide attempt is the most potent predictor, increasing the rate more than thirty-fold. It is followed by depression, which increases the risk of suicide by about twelve-fold In regards to suicide risk, what I would do or say if I knew someone who is having difficulties with interpersonal style, emotional regulation, or impulse control do not leave him or her alone. Also, how would I react to someone who was threatening suicide in an overly dramatic way' First of all, I would try to get the person to seek immediate help from his or her doctor or the nearest hospital emergency room, or call 911. Eliminate access to firearms or other potential tools for suicide, including unsupervised access to medications Also according to an article, it states that,”research on treatments for impulse control disorders has largely focused on the use of cognitive behavioral therapy and medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help a person learn to relax, cope with stress, combat negative thoughts, and prevent damaging behaviors.” Reference: http://www.mentalhealthcanada.com/ConditionsandDisordersDetail.asp'lang=e&category=66 http://www.psyweb.com/mdisord/jsp/gendepress.jsp http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtml/index.shtml American Psychiatric Association. 2000. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed., text revision. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. http://www.allaboutdepression.com/gen_04.html