What Is Depression?
9. Suicide
Depression plays a significant role in suicide attempts. Those with untreated depression have a 20% lifetime risk of suicide. In 2009, suicide was reported to be the 10th leading cause of death, accounting for 36,909 deaths in the United States.
The highest suicide rate is among men above the age of 75 years old. Caucasian men complete more than 78% of all suicides with 56% of deaths involving firearms. Among females, attempted suicide is more common, with poisoning being the predominant method. The risk factors of suicide include depression, history of suicide attempts, stressful life events, medical illness, widowed or divorced, lack of social support, presence of gun in the home, high anxiety, rehearsal of the plan, and lack of reason not to commit suicide.
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