THS investigates ONLINE NIGHTMARES

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

There are also websites which show people how to be a good anorexic.

I don't really know any adults who have killed themselves, but there were several suicides at my high school - one girl hanged herself because of a boy (right outside his work), another shot herself because of a boy - I can only imagine the guilt these men carry in their adult lives for something that is not their fault. Another boy in my church group hanged himself in his basement. Friends of my parents had a 13 year old daughter that shot herself when she didn't make the basketball team.

[almaty 19]

Suicide in the United States

by Jane Pearson, Ph.D.*

In 1995, the year for which we have the most recent national death statistics, suicide was the ninth-leading cause of death in the United States. It accounted for 31,284 deaths, or 1.3 percent of all U.S. deaths. In contrast, 32 percent of all deaths were from diseases of the heart, and 23 percent from malignant neoplasms (cancer).

Suicide rates are typically presented as the number of deaths per 100,000 persons, taking into account the number of people in the population and its age distribution. The age-adjusted suicide rate in the U.S. in 1995 was 11.1 per 100,000, which ranks the U.S. among the countries in the middle in terms of suicide rates among industrialized nations. U.S. suicide rates vary from state to state. The western states have the highest rates, with Nevada leading the nation at 23.93/100,000. The lowest rate is for the District of Columbia at 6.05/100,000, followed by New Jersey at 6.75/100,000.

In the U.S. suicide rates vary dramatically by age, gender, and racial group. White males commit suicide at a rate higher than black males and white and black females. Another way of putting this is that 73 percent of all suicides are committed by white men. However, rates for black males have been rising, particularly those ages 15 to 24, where rates have nearly doubled since 1986. The age group with the highest rate of suicide is older white males. This pattern is also common in other countries: older males have the highest rate of suicide in nearly every industrialized nation.

In the United States, the most common method of suicide is death by firearm, which accounts for 60 percent of all suicide methods. Of all firearm deaths, about 80 percent are committed by white men.

Mental Disorders and Suicide

Findings from psychological autopsy (PA) studies, where the individual’s state of mind prior to the suicide is determined through extensive interviews and review of medical history, indicate that about 90 percent of persons who completed suicides in all age groups had a diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorder. In other words, having a mental or substance abuse disorder is nearly a necessary condition for suicide to occur. Having a mental or substance abuse disorder does not necessarily mean that someone is at high risk for suicide, however; clearly the majority of people with these disorders do not die in this manner. When using the PA method, different patterns of mental and substance abuse disorders have been found across different age groups of suicide victims. Substance abuse and behavior problems such as conduct disorder are more common among adolescent suicides, while depression without substance abuse is the most common pattern among older adults.

Another approach to studying risk for suicide among persons with mental or substance abuse disorders is to follow-up people who have been hospitalized for such a disorder. The advantage with this approach is that a high-risk group has been identified and risk factors are recorded prior to the person’s death. However, the disadvantages to this approach include the following: not all persons with mental or substance abuse disorders are hospitalized, not all hospitals keep the same records, and different studies use different approaches, including different follow-up time intervals.

The results are often mixed when it comes to estimating the particular rates of suicide for people with certain mental or substance abuse disorders or determining what risk factors, in addition to the disorder, played a role in the suicide. For example, although most researchers agree that persons with schizophrenia have a much higher risk of suicide than the general population, the estimates have ranged from 2 percent to 15 percent. In some studies, younger males with schizophrenia appear to be most at risk, while other studies find that women with schizophrenia commit suicide as frequently as men with schizophrenia. Among persons with depression, some have found psychotic symptoms to increase risk for suicide, while others have not found this risk pattern.

In addition to the mental or substance abuse disorders, there is a long list of factors that have been investigated to determine if they increase the risk for suicide. This list (in no particular order) includes having a second mental or substance abuse disorder, hostile and/or rigid temperament, history of sexual abuse, history of previous suicide attempt, hopelessness, inability to carry out activities of daily living, stressful life events such as the loss of a close relationship, and change in healthcare providers.

Opportunities for Prevention

Preventing suicide is an enormous challenge for several reasons. Although it is considered a preventable cause of death, suicide is a very rare occurrence compared to other causes of death or compared to the occurrence of mental and substance abuse disorders. Second, when researchers have tried to predict suicide using as many known risk factors as possible, they are still unable to predict who will and who will not commit this act. Third, the design and testing of preventive interventions is very difficult and challenging, but is necessary to avoid unexpected, negative outcomes. For example, a prevention program designed for high-school aged youth found that participants were more likely to consider suicide a solution to a problem after the program than prior to the program. This is not to say that it is risky to talk about suicide. Rather, there are contexts where talking about suicide is very appropriate and helpful. For example, an individual who has survived a family member’s suicide needs to have the opportunity to talk about suicide and receive support. Indeed, it is critical for clinicians to assess persons in distress for their suicide potential in order to take steps to minimize the suicide risk.

Given these cautions, the best approach for prevention of suicide would appear to be improving our treatments for mental and substance abuse disorders and being more vigilant in screening for suicide risk among persons with these disorders. Much more effort is needed to test prevention programs that consider these approaches. Proven programs and practices that prevent suicide should, in turn, be more broadly implemented in our healthcare services.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Terrible and tragic. This group assumes that a person who is severely depressed is in full capacity of their mental faculties and can therefore make a rational decision.

Edited January 5, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky

[Fandango 1,440]

Terrible and tragic. This group assumes that a person who is severely depressed is in full capacity of their mental faculties and can therefore make a rational decision.

But don't forget the group is severely depressed and not in full capacity either. That's the major problem.

I read the newsgroup....one guy was taunting her...calling her all sorts of names...'just effing die already b----!' There were ppl saying how she should GO OFF her meds. etc. Then they all waxed lyrical about the fact that assisted suicides should be allowed by the medical community so that the one committing suicide can donate organs to others.

Seriously, it was an alternate universe and I cannot believe more ppl don't 'troll' it in an effort to be the lone voice of reason...like NO don't kill yourself it's NOT a good idea.

[ChristinaM 0]

What seems reasonable when you are at that point is not something that would seem reasonable to one who is not. There is no room for reason. I speak as one who has been there.

Whether we like it or not, to limit this kind of forum is a freedom of speech issue. There is no law against bad-mouthing others on the internet (up to the point of harrassment), nor is there a law about providing information on how to kill yourself. Coarse, crude and tasteless it may be, but it is not illegal.

Perhaps a solution would be for such a newsgroup to be required to report IP addresses for further follow up.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Terrible and tragic. This group assumes that a person who is severely depressed is in full capacity of their mental faculties and can therefore make a rational decision.

But don't forget the group is severely depressed and not in full capacity either. That's the major problem.

I read the newsgroup....one guy was taunting her...calling her all sorts of names...'just effing die already b----!' There were ppl saying how she should GO OFF her meds. etc. Then they all waxed lyrical about the fact that assisted suicides should be allowed by the medical community so that the one committing suicide can donate organs to others.

Seriously, it was an alternate universe and I cannot believe more ppl don't 'troll' it in an effort to be the lone voice of reason...like NO don't kill yourself it's NOT a good idea.

Good idea.

[de_sjiem 0]

This is really sad.

I am so lucky that no one in my family suffers from depression. It really has become an epidemic.

I do believe that in most cases however that suicide is the most selfish thing possible.

How is it selfish? Because of those they leave behind? Would it also not be selfish to expect them to stay so it wont disrupt your life? (not advocating suicide by any stretch..) These people are so depressed that they can no longer find the strength to go on living... as was said earlier they are no longer in their full capacity and cannot function as "normal" people do.. They are pretty much beyond the point of selfishness or unselfishness.. To be so far down to even contemplate the idea of killing yourself is difficult for anyone who has never been there to even come close to understanding. Its just not fair to say it is a selfish thing to do.. It just really bothers me to see that. People that are that far down and then putting them down further. Its just wrong.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

I also thought of "why aren't they shut down, or why don't more people try to help them instead?' but I bet if people had to register and started doing those types of things, they would probably be banned, considering the type of site that it is...unfortunately. VERY unfortunately. M.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

ETA: de sjiem: I can see why some think it's selfish. I go back and forth, and sometimes I think it is selfish.When the person is gone, it can't hurt them to think that, after all, so no one is putting anyone down that's 'already down' here..they're gone. Secondly, it's not like suicide in a family is one little burst of sadness, and then it's over. I'll always miss my brother, *always* that's just normal I suppose, but to lose a CHILD? My parents will *never, ever* at least that I can see, get over this. EVER. I do understand that people in those depths of depression don't *see*that...they can't think beyond how they themselves feel, so it's totatally understandable that in *that* way, it's NOT a "selfish" act.... when you've been through it, it's easy to sometimes think of it that way though. My mom just mentioned my brother tonight (after saying that my nephew was released from the hospital today, and is getting help, which is VERY good news!!) and she's always, always upset when she talks about it. (quite obviously, she would be.) Both of my parents have had to be on medication since it happened, and maybe always will..I don't know. They blame themselves for not doing more, as do many members of the family in some form or another. It's maybe not 'selfish' per say, but it's very easy to go through at least a time of being very angry at that person, aside from the sadness. M.

My computer is moving at a snail's pace, and it wouldn't let me edit the above post.. .M.

[de_sjiem 0]

Michelle:

I dont completely think its not selfish either.. Just the way she said it kinda hit a nerve or something.. Mostly I just think by the time they hit that point they are beyond being selfish.. I know that suicides leave huge amounts of damage behind, and that it is awful for the family and loved ones.. I know that.. just the way it was said that the person didn't even stop to think how the suicide victim (and they are victims in their own way.. mostly of themselves but victims anyways) might be feeling to cause them to kill themselves.. it just bothered me is all..

[PlatyPius 5]

This is really sad.

I am so lucky that no one in my family suffers from depression. It really has become an epidemic.

I do believe that in most cases however that suicide is the most selfish thing possible.

So people should continue to live in misery for OTHER people?

I get SOOOO annoyed at the "it's so selfish!" comments people spew all of the time.

PlatyPius

(Suicide Survivor)

[sarah and hicham 3]

I knew a girl in high school who was on my golf team who commited suicide when she was 16 years old. She decided to hang herself from a tree in a public park where a child in the third grade found her as he was walking to school one morning.

It was sort of common knowledge to know that her family was not "normal". All three of the kids didn't seem to get along with their parents but we never knew of any physical abuse. I think it was selfish that she killed herself. She left her young brother and older sister behind who feel guilty about her death every day of their lives. I am friends with her older sister and she is never able to fully enjoy her life no matter what she is doing. She is constantly feeling guilty and sad about her younger sisters death.

Every single girl on the golf team felt guilty and sad and full of regret that we didn't get to know her better and realize what kind of situation she was in in order to help her out in any way. I still feel guilt to this day.

The young child who found her hanging- well I'm sure that's a picture he will have stuck in his memory forever.

I think her suicide was selfish. She wanted to escape from a bad situation and leave her family even worse off than they were to begin with. The older sister feels like it's her fault that her sister killed herself and like I said is never fully able to feel relaxed or happy with herself.

I'm sure there are other situations that people say that suicide is not selfish but either way I think leaving behind your family to feel guilty about your death because they couldn't better the person's situation is sad.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Like I said, I can for sure see what you're saying, Sarah. On the other hand, they're usually so deeply depressed themselves that they can't really think of what it's going to do to those left behind...I'm assuming this only, obviously, for it to be considered selfish. I know what you're getting at though. M.

[sarah and hicham 3]

Like I said, I can for sure see what you're saying, Sarah. On the other hand, they're usually so deeply depressed themselves that they can't really think of what it's going to do to those left behind...I'm assuming this only, obviously, for it to be considered selfish. I know what you're getting at though. M.

I also don't think that people who commit suicide do it with selfish intentions. Maybe some do but I think for the most part people who kill themselves are not doing it to hurt others. They are doing it to end their misery which in turn hurts everyone in their lives. I hope that makes sense.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Yes, it does, and very true. M.