What Are the Causes of Suicide?

Statistics compiled by the American Academy of Family Physicians show the overall suicide rate as 11.2 per 100,000 people, making it the ninth-leading cause of death. The causes listed for this act are many; however, one common theme is apparent : depression. As many as 90 percent of those who commit suicide have some form of mental illness.

Causes

• Unexpected events, and crises can occur at any time within a person's life. To deal with a crisis, a person must have a certain degree of resiliency intact. The ability to see options in the face of a difficult situation determines how hopeful a person will be. Someone who's suicidal may see limited options, or no options at all, when in reality there are many options to choose from. Conditions like severe depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and others affect a person's sense of control over his life. And while these may be chemical disorders in the brain, the emotions they trigger are very real.

Suicidal Thoughts

• Thoughts of suicide can range from detailed plans to a passive desire without intention. Actual attempts may be deliberate or constructed to fail. Deliberate attempts will be preceded by a certain degree of planning, unless the act is carried out as an impulse reaction to an upsetting event. The sense of self-loathing that accompanies this state of mind can greatly hamper a person's ability to reach out to others. Attempts that are constructed to fail may actually be this person's way of asking for help.

Risk Factors

• People with psychiatric disorders and/or substance abuse issues are at a high risk for following through on thoughts of suicide. Attempts may be preceded by a traumatic event or unexpected loss of a job or a spouse. With others, emotional distress may linger over a number of years, causing thoughts of suicide to increase in frequency. Patients with medical conditions like cancer, head injury or peptic ulcer disease are also at risk; however, in most of these cases the medical condition is accompanied by a psychiatric disorder.

Warning Signs

• There are a number of warning signs to look out for if you suspect someone may be contemplating suicide. They vary from person to person, as personality type does play a role. Any significant change in appearance, behavior or routine may indicate someone who's under extreme duress. Some signs to look out for are depression, excessive drug or alcohol use, impulsive behavior, loss of interest in enjoyable activities and strong feelings of anger or rage.

Prevention

• If you suspect someone you know is contemplating suicide, helping the person to talk about how she feels is a good first step. A non-judgmental, non-confrontational approach is best, as someone in this state is highly emotional and volatile. By asking straight-forward questions as to what the person's intentions are, you can get a better idea of how serious her situation is. Enlist the help of emergency services as needed; otherwise, offer support and follow through with helping her to find professional help.