Suicide Risk & Medical Conditions

Medical conditions are among the many factors mental health practitioners assess when considering a patient's risk of committing suicide. Three medical conditions increase the risk of suicide: functional impairments, traumatic brain injuries and chronic pain.

Specific Conditions

• According to the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, impaired physical functioning creates a greater risk of suicide than risks related to age or illness. According to a 2001 study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, traumatic brain injury is linked to increased risk of suicide, specifically for a severe condition. According to a 1996 report in the American Journal of Public Health, people suffering from chronic pain are more likely than most people to commit suicide.

Risk Factors

• According to the National Institute of Mental Health, factors that increase suicide risk include mental- and substance-abuse disorders, prior suicide attempts, a family history of suicide, a history of abuse, a recent loss, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, and access to the means for committing suicide, such as pills or weapons.

Considerations

• Any risk factor in conjunction with a medical condition increases the risk of suicide.

Preventative Factors

• Factors that can reduce the lethality of a suicidal person include community, mental health and medical support.

Warning

• Any threat of suicide should be taken seriously. A suicidal person should not be left alone. Medical or psychiatric assistance can be found either by visiting the nearest hospital emergency room or dialing 9-1-1.