The late Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams was among the most effective public figures at de-stigmatizing mental illness and addiction by baring his own lifelong struggles with both. Williams, whose confessional brand of stand-up comedy was a form of “sharing his story” by coating anguish with humor, was found dead at his home Aug. …
Will Robin Williams’ Tragic Death Save the Lives of Others? Read More »
Just about every person will go through a period of depression at one time or another. For most it will be mild or moderate and will pass as the event resolves itself. However, for some the depression will be severe, and it may or may not be linked to an event with an indeterminate period …
People affected by certain mental illnesses have substantially increased risks for developing pain, and some diagnosable mental disorders feature pain as one of their primary symptoms. In a study published in July 2013 in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, a multi-institution research team examined the connection between pain and the chances of dying from suicide. The …
The Great Recession has been linked to more than 10,000 people killing themselves in what a startling new study called “economic suicides.” Examining death rates on two continents dating back to before the financial collapse, researchers attributed the devastating economic times between 2008 and 2010 to increasing numbers of people taking their own lives in …
Great Recession Blamed in More Than 10,000 Suicides Read More »
Much remains unraveled about the gunman who opened fire at the Fort Hood military base, slaying three and gravely wounding 16 others before killing himself. But when officials mentioned that Army Spec. Ivan Lopez might have post-traumatic stress disorder, concern erupted about stigmatizing the complex condition suffered by millions.
People affected by depression-related mental disorders have increased chances of attempting and committing suicide. Examples of these disorders include major depression, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) and various forms of bipolar disorder. In a study published in September 2013 in the Journal of Psychiatric Research, a team of Swedish and German researchers examined the usefulness of …
In September the online open-access medical journal BMJ published a report prepared by a group of researchers from Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United Kingdom who had collected and analyzed information about suicide rates in more than 50 countries. These mental health statisticians were interested in finding out if there had been any noticeable increase …
International Increase in Suicides Caused by Worldwide Economic Crisis? Read More »
People suffering from a mood disorder are 30 times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. Finding an effective treatment that reduces the likelihood of suicide in individuals with mood disorders is therefore an important area of research. Previous studies have indicated that lithium may possess this effect, but concerns about its side …
At precisely 5 a.m. on Aug. 15, 2013, at the far southeast corner of the Overland Police Station parking lot, Kansas City sportswriter Martin Manley called 911 to report a suicide and then committed one by gunshot. Manley was not depressed, not sick, not lonely; he had not recently suffered the loss of a loved …
Sportswriter Martin Manley Blogs About His Own Suicide Read More »
Researchers and mental health professionals have known for a long time that men and boys have elevated chances of dying from suicide, even though they make suicide attempts far less often than women and girls. Researchers and doctors have also identified many of the risk factors that increase the likelihood of suicide. According to the …
Family History, Childhood Trauma Increase Suicide Risk for Men Read More »