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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffSuicide risk factors include:
- Having a prior suicide attempt
- Having an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Being intoxicated — a large percentage of suicides are committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Having a substance abuse problem
- Behaving recklessly or impulsively
- Feeling hopeless
- Having a family history of mental disorders or substance abuse
- Having a family history of suicide or violence, including physical or sexual abuse
- Recently undergoing a stressful life event, such as the loss of a loved one or a breakup
- Having firearms in your home
- Having a significant medical illness, such as cancer or chronic pain
- Feeling socially isolated or lonely
- Having legal problems
- Having trouble in school, social problems or disciplinary problems if you are a child or young adult
- Being male — men are more likely than women to complete suicide because they typically use more lethal means, such as a firearm
- Being homosexual with an unsupportive family or in a hostile environment
- Being a man age 65 or older
Murder and suicide
In some cases, people who are suicidal are at risk of killing others and then themselves. This is known as a homicide suicide or murder suicide. The types of feelings that trigger this tragic behavior can stem from a number of sources. Some common risk factors for murder suicide include:
- A history of conflict with a spouse or romantic partner
- Current family legal problems
- A history of mental health problems, particularly depression
- Alcohol or drug abuse or addiction
- Having access to a firearm — nearly all murder suicides are committed using a gun
Starting antidepressants and increased suicide risk
Some studies have shown a possible link between starting treatment with an antidepressant and an increased risk of suicide. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires manufacturers of all antidepressants to include a warning stating that antidepressants may increase suicide risk in young people during the first two months of treatment.
However, the link between antidepressants and suicidal thinking isn't clear — and not taking an antidepressant when it's needed also increases the risk of suicide. To be safe, anyone who starts taking an antidepressant should be watched closely for signs of suicidal thinking. If you — or someone you know — has suicidal thoughts when taking an antidepressant, immediately contact your doctor or get emergency help.
- Schreiber J, et al. Suicidal ideation and behavior in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Kennebeck S, et al. Evaluation and management of suicidal behavior in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 9, 2010.
- Barbara Woodward Lips Patient Education Center. Understanding attempted suicide. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2005.
- Understanding suicide fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/pub-res/suicide_factsheet2008.pdf. Accessed Feb. 2, 2010.
- Logan J, et al. Characteristics of perpetrators in homicide-followed-by-suicide incidents: National Violent Death Reporting System - 17 US States, 2003-2005. American Journal of Epidemiology. 2008;169:9.
- The risk factors for suicide. American Association of Suicidology. http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DLFE-186.doc. Accessed Feb. 2, 2010.
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