Washington, D.C. -- Major depressive episodes, borderline personality, and high levels of serum cholesterol increase the risk of suicide and the severity of the suicide attempt according to two studies published in the April issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.
Individuals with both major depression and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are at greater risk of suicide, according to a new study from Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and the University of Pittsburgh. The investigators found no significant differences in suicide attempts between patients with one or the other illness.
BPD is the only personality disorder defined, in part, by recurrent suicidal behaviors. However, they found that patients with both disorders had more serious symptoms, including impulsive-aggression, hopelessness, and depression, and were more serious in suicide attempts, with greater medical consequences. (1.)
"Comorbidity of BPD with major depressive episodes increases the number and seriousness of suicide attempts," concludes lead researcher Paul Soloff, M.D.
A second study found that the risk of violent suicidehanging, shooting, cutting, or jumpingdoubled among individuals with high serum cholesterol. After reviewing five independent population surveys in Finland, researchers at the Kuopio University Hospital and the National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, found no association between high cholesterol and nonviolent suicide, such as drug overdose, poisoning with gases, or drowning.
"The mechanism that may link cholesterol with violent suicide is unclear, but one possibility involves plasma polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)," said study participant Antti Tanskasnen, M.D. "These are inversely related to serum cholesterol, and depletion of certain PUFAs has been linked to an increased risk of depressionone of the strongest risk factors of suicide." (2.)
Editor's Note: A new suicide prevention Public Service Announcement (PSA) is now
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Contact: Richard Ottinger
Ottinger@psych.org
202-682-6119
American Psychiatric Association
27-Mar-2000