By Lynne Peeples
Depression is more common than
AIDS, cancer, and diabetes combined, and nearly 400,000 people attempt
suicide in the U.S. every year.
But even though it's a common and serious problem, many people don't know that much about depression and suicide—including who's at the greatest risk, why, and when they are most likely to be vulnerable.
Here are 15 myths and facts about depression and suicide.
But even though it's a common and serious problem, many people don't know that much about depression and suicide—including who's at the greatest risk, why, and when they are most likely to be vulnerable.
Here are 15 myths and facts about depression and suicide.
Suicides peak during holidays
Myth
"There is a time of year when suicides are more common," says Marcia Valenstein, MD, research scientist at the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research & Development Service. "But it's not when everyone thinks."
Most people think the winter holidays are a risky time, but suicides are lowest in December and peak in the spring.
It's not clear why, but it could be due to changing levels of natural light. "It could be that they have more energy to attempt suicide," says Dr. Valenstein, who is also an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Depression Center, in Ann Arbor.
"There is a time of year when suicides are more common," says Marcia Valenstein, MD, research scientist at the Department of Veterans Affairs Health Services Research & Development Service. "But it's not when everyone thinks."
Most people think the winter holidays are a risky time, but suicides are lowest in December and peak in the spring.
It's not clear why, but it could be due to changing levels of natural light. "It could be that they have more energy to attempt suicide," says Dr. Valenstein, who is also an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan Depression Center, in Ann Arbor.
Suicide rates climb with altitude
Fact
The greater the elevation of a person's home, the higher the risk of suicide, according to a recent study. Suicide rates are about 70% higher in regions 2,000 meters in elevation, for example, compared to at sea level.
The effect appeared to hold even after researchers accounted for risk factors such as greater gun ownership and lower population density.
The greater the elevation of a person's home, the higher the risk of suicide, according to a recent study. Suicide rates are about 70% higher in regions 2,000 meters in elevation, for example, compared to at sea level.
The effect appeared to hold even after researchers accounted for risk factors such as greater gun ownership and lower population density.
Teens are at greatest risk
Myth
Teenage suicides make headlines, but the elderly are more likely to take their own life than any other age group, says Dr. Valenstein.
At particularly high risk are white men over the age of 85, who have a suicide rate of 49.8 deaths per 100,000, compared with about 14 per 100,000 in people over 65, and 11 per 100,000 in the general population.
Still, teenagers remain a high-risk group. One in five high school students says he or she has considered suicide in the past year and 1 in 12 attempts to take his own life. (The suicide rate for 15- to 19-year-olds is 6.9 per 100,000.)
Teenage suicides make headlines, but the elderly are more likely to take their own life than any other age group, says Dr. Valenstein.
At particularly high risk are white men over the age of 85, who have a suicide rate of 49.8 deaths per 100,000, compared with about 14 per 100,000 in people over 65, and 11 per 100,000 in the general population.
Still, teenagers remain a high-risk group. One in five high school students says he or she has considered suicide in the past year and 1 in 12 attempts to take his own life. (The suicide rate for 15- to 19-year-olds is 6.9 per 100,000.)
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