3 ms·
From the numbers it could very well be that a lot of the ones who die in a subsequent attempt could be bipolar or have some other serious comorbidity in additio
by bayesian_horse 7y ago
From the numbers it could very well be that a lot of the ones who die in a subsequent attempt could be bipolar or have some other serious comorbidity in addition to "just" major depression.
There are multiple conditions which can lead to depressive symptoms and suicidal tendencies. Some are more malign than others, which is a strange thing to say about conditions that make you want to kill yourself. But basically, suicidality in bipolar patients can only be significantly reduced by exactly one specific medication.
- hiram112 7y agoAre you referring to Lithium or just saying they need one more medication, on average, to get them out of their very deep hole?
- bayesian_horse 7y agoThey get out of their deep hole very much on their own, usually within weeks or months. But that's actually the problem in bipolar disorder. They can go from total depression to a much more energetic state in days or a few weeks, such that suicidal ideation and feeling like shit can overlap with high motivational energy. And that's the most dangerous time for suicidal tendencies. In a very deep depressive episodes, suicide is just too much effort. And yes, I was referring to Lithium as the only medication which significantly reduces the incidence of suicide attempts in bipolar patients. But that effect is only visible long-term.