Bipolar Disorder Suicide Risk

It's difficult to say how many people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide. Many people are undiagnosed, and many suicide attempts go unreported. However, it's undisputed that people with bipolar disorder are at much greater risk for suicide than the general population.

Depressive/Mixed Phases

• Most people attempt suicide during these phases. In a depressive state, people appear sad, withdrawn and apathetic. A mixed phase combines the "low" feelings of depression with the restlessness, anxiety and agitation of a manic phase.

External Risks

• Traumatic events such as the death of a loved one, a bad breakup or a job loss can push someone into a fatal depression.

Drugs and Alcohol

• Drug and alcohol abuse increases the risk for suicide. Not only are alcohol and many drugs depressive substances, the reality of being an addict can add to feelings of low self-worth that are already present during a depressive phase.

Accidental Suicide

• People in mixed or manic states often place themselves in high-risk situations---not necessarily attempting suicide, but putting themselves in situations where there's a great risk of injury or death, such as driving recklessly or walking across the rail of a high bridge.

How To Help

• If someone you know is talking about suicide, giving cherished possessions away, talking about how things will be when he's gone, or seems much more withdrawn than usual, stay with him and listen. Encourage him to call his doctor or a hotline (see Resources), and if the threat seems imminent, call 911.