Suicide Rate for Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a mental illness characterized by severe mood swings. According to the Centers for Disease Control, suicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the United States, accounting for more than 30,000 deaths in 2006. According to a study conducted by Jacques Baillargeon, Ph.D, and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, individuals with bipolar disorder have a significantly higher risk of committing suicide than individuals with other psychiatric or medical disorders.

Suicide vs. Suicide Attempts

• According to "Suicide and Bipolar Disorder," a 2006 article published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, 25 percent to 50 percent of individuals with bipolar disorder attempt suicide at least once during their lifetime; roughly 15 percent of these individuals are successful in committing suicide. However, the article goes on to state that the epidemiology of a suicide attempt is different from that of a suicide. For instance, women attempt to commit suicide two to three times more often than men, according to the article. Moreover, individuals who merely attempt suicide are more likely to notify others of their intentions to do so.

Factors

• A study conducted by Eric Harris and Roger Barraclough found that certain factors increase the likelihood of suicide among individuals with bipolar disorder. These factors include alcohol abuse, past suicide attempts, and the amount of time that has elapsed after discharge from a hospital. Additionally, a study conducted by Dr. Eduard Vieta of the University of Barcelona found that having a family member who committed suicide triples the likelihood that an individual with bipolar disorder will attempt suicide. Moreover, according to the "Suicide and Bipolar Disorder" article, studies suggest that the risk of suicide is greatest at the beginning or toward the end of a depressive episode.

Effect of Medication on Suicide Rates

• According to researcher Dr. Ross J. Baldessarini, the antidepressant Lithium reduces suicide attempts among individuals with bipolar disorder fivefold. According to the "Suicide and Bipolar Disorder" article, the effectiveness of Lithium can be attributed to its serotonergic and antiaggressive properties. Other medications, including anticonvulsants and antipsychotics, have shown the potential to reduce the risk of suicide as well, though their actual effect has not been proven as of 2009.

Illnesses That Co-Exist With Bipolar Disorder

• According to the National Institute of Mental Health, numerous illnesses co-exist with bipolar disorder and thus affect the suicide rates of people with bipolar disorder. Among these illnesses, substance abuse is perhaps the most common, with the National Institute of Mental Health estimating that nearly 60 percent of people with bipolar disorder abuse substances. This can have a significant affect on suicide rates. Other illnesses that often co-exist with bipolar disorders include anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and social phobia.

Helping Someone Who May Be Suicidal

• One of the most important things you can do when learning that someone is suicidal is to take it seriously. According to the Jefferson County Health Center, studies have found that 75 percent of people who committed suicide expressed suicidal feelings in the weeks prior to their deaths. As the previous discussion of medications indicates, suicide is highly preventable. Thus, if you learn that someone is suicidal, urge professional help. The idea that someone who is thinking about committing suicide cannot be stopped is simply not true.