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Suicide is defined as death caused by injuring oneself with the intention of dying. Over the years suicide has become a more common trend among younger people especially. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people ages 10-24 years old. Research shows that this particular population is more vulnerable to mental health problems. Young people often experience various challenges navigating changes in life which could bring up emotions like fear, confusion, doubt, and shame.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, people have experienced more disruption to their, life, work, and relationships putting more strain on their mental well-being. Suicide Prevention in Youth (2022) mentioned in their article that about 18% of youth in the US particularly seriously considered attempting suicide and 8.6% made suicide attempts within the past year in 2020. Suicide also among this population seems to be more prevalent in girls and among minority groups with limited access to mental health resources. Effects of suicide do not just have a physical impact on an individual, but they leave lasting effects in many areas of their lives like relationship, jobs, and their mental or emotional well-being. There are many factors that contribute to suicide or self-harming behaviors, some of them include; Mental health conditions: people who suffer from disorders like depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders may be more susceptible to suicide. People with depressive symptoms especially youths may have an increased sense of isolation and social alienation which increases the chances of self-harming behaviors (Freitage et al., 2022) Family History: Family systems and their environment can affect how a person is raised and how they identify in society. Family factors that contribute risk of suicide may include the history of suicide in the family, relationship conflict, presence of trauma or violence, neglect, parental divorce, and so on Alcohol and substance use- According to the American Addition Center’s article on substance abuse and suicide, suicide is the leading cause of death among people who misuse alcohol and drugs (2022). It’s common for people who experience suicidal thoughts to abuse alcohol and drugs in the hope of escaping the emotional pain. Unfortunately, alcohol/ drug use further intensifies depressive symptoms and increases the likelihood of impulsive behaviors. Previous Suicide Attempts- Not only does a prior suicide attempt increase the risk of suicide, but it also leaves both short and long-term effects on the individual. O’Brien et al (2022) suggested that with adolescents there are usually more reports of significant emotional distress and the overwhelming presence of negative emotions. Adding that adolescents who have previously attempted suicide are 60 times more likely to die from suicide than those who never attempted. Environmental Factors: other factors that may contribute to suicide may include socio-economic status, unemployment, discrimination, loss, access to means, criminal/legal problems, impulsivity or aggression tendencies, relationship problems, bullying, harassment, and identity crisis Warning Signs for Suicide There is a myth that talking about suicide increases the likelihood of suicide which is not true. Although, depression and suicide often coincide, it’s important to watch out for other signs of suicide. Awareness of the emotional and behavioral signs of suicide can be especially helpful for parents, teachers, and friends when assessing the risk of suicide. Talking about suicide creates a space for open communications and de-stigmatization of suicide; some warning signs include; · Recent fascination with death · Feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness · Feeling like a burden to others · Feelings of guilt, shame and anger · Saying goodbye to friends and family · Giving away prized possessions · Change in eating and sleeping patterns · Recklessness · Losing interest in personal hygiene or appearance · Withdrawn from friends, families and communities · Recent suicide attempt · Increase alcohol or substance use Treatment With collaborative efforts from family, teachers, and the engaging community suicide is always preventable. Losing someone to suicide is difficult and it comes with a lot of complicated emotions. Suicide does not only affect an individual, but it also affects the lives of the people around them. Assessing risk for suicide and treatment is possible with the help of everyone. The use comprehensive approach that assesses the level of risk and underlying problem causing suicidal thoughts or behaviors helps to enhance suicide care and rehabilitation. Ways to improve suicide care include; Psychotherapy- Seeking professional help like counseling can help with early interventions and effective assessment for suicide. Mental health and peer support especially in schools can help with providing strategies that can help individuals cope with issues regarding impulsivity, interpersonal conflict, sexual identity, trauma care, suicidal behaviors, self-esteem, social connectedness and so on which not only promotes mental wellness but improves access to appropriate mental health care. Medications- As discussed earlier one of the risk factors for suicides is the presence of other mental health disorders. Along with psychotherapy interventions, the use of antidepressants, anti-anxiety, antipsychotics, and other medications for mental illness can help better manage suicidal behaviors and thoughts Addiction treatment: Treatment for alcohol and substance dependency can help with addiction treatment and promote participation in social support groups that can help with rehabilitation Family support and Education: Involving family and friends in the treatment process can help provide a supportive environment for change. Family support and community engagement can foster better-coping skills, improve communication and more connectedness for the individual. Psychoeducation for individuals and families that center on de-stigmatization of mental health problems could promote positive treatment outcomes. Connecting with people you can trust can go a long way in seeking help and preventing suicide! Suicide Care Resource: Call a suicide hotline number
Amanda.Lautieri. (2022, September 15). The link between substance abuse & suicide in teens. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/link-between-substance-abuse-suicide-in-teens Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, May 9). Disparities in suicide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/disparities-in-suicide.html https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/disparities-in-suicide.html Editorial: Suicide prevention in youth. (2022). Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 27(4), 325–327. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12604 Freitag, S., Bolstad, C. J., Nadorff, M. R., & Lamis, D. A. (2022). Social Functioning Mediates the Relation Between Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Suicidal Ideation Among Youth. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 31(5), 1318–1327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02088-x O’Brien, K. H. M., Nicolopoulos, A., Almeida, J., Aguinaldo, L. D., & Rosen, R. K. (2021). Why adolescents attempt suicide: A qualitative study of the transition from ideation to action. Archives of Suicide Research, 25(2), 269–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2019.1675561
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Postpartum depression (PPD) refers to the onset of depressive symptoms shortly after the arrival of a newborn baby. Typically, the term is linked to mothers, as the burden of delivering a baby as well as the immense hormonal changes during pregnancy and childbirth may predispose women to depression both before and after childbirth. However, an equally pressing issue is PPD in fathers, which is often overlooked both in research and clinical screenings as fathers are not seen having as direct of a role in childbirth as mothers. A closer look into PPD in fathers is needed to fully investigate and prevent depression in new fathers (Albicker, 2019).
Studies have shown approximately 1 in 10 fathers experience PPD in the first year after a child is born. Typically, PPD was highest when the baby was 3-6 months old but can also develop insidiously over a year instead of right after childbirth. Depression was not limited to just after childbirth, as depression in fathers was also seen during pregnancy, with the highest risk being in the first trimester (Rao, 2020). The symptoms of PPD in fathers are similar to those of mothers, with a few exceptions. Fathers typically showed fewer outwardly emotional responses, like crying. However, there were also male-specific symptoms of depression, like rage, irritability, alcohol abuse, sleep disorders, violent and impulsive behavior, and withdrawal from relationships (Horsager-Boehrer, 2021). There are several risk factors for PPD in fathers. One is hormonal changes, which are associated with depressive symptoms. For example, new fathers show lower levels of testosterone, which results in lower levels of aggression and higher sensitivity to a crying baby. Although lower levels of testosterone may strengthen a father’s attachment to his child, they are also associated with depressive symptoms in men (Scharff, 2019). Low self-efficacy, or the lack of ability to succeed in any given task, was also associated with PPD in men. The locus of control was important as fathers who did not feel like they were capable of raising a baby were more predisposed to depressive symptoms (Albicker, 2019). The strongest predictor of PPD in men was the past history of depression and anxiety. For example, comorbid anxiety was often observed in men with PPD, with over 18 percent of fathers experiencing high levels of anxiety after childbirth and over 3 percent having been diagnosed with GAD and another 3 percent having been diagnosed with OCD (Scharff, 2019). Depression in the mother was also associated with higher frequency of PPD in men. Other risk factors of PPD in men included feeling disconnected from mother and baby, psychological adjustment to parenthood and sleep deprivation (Horsager-Boehrer, 2021). PPD in fathers can have an effect on the development of children. Depression in fathers is associated with less attention to babies, less frequent health visits, higher risk of behavioral problems and poor family or marital relationships (Horsager-Boehrer, 2021). Infants of depressed fathers also exhibit higher levels of stress as well as delay in psychological and emotional development (Scharff, 2019). For these reasons, research into PPD in men is essential to ensure the livelihood of the infant as well as the family as a whole. However, PPD in men is not a high priority in many clinical or research settings. PPD in women is a well-researched field, whereas little research exists for PPD in men. The limitation of current studies into PPD in men is that they only look into fathers in the first year after childbirth, but not in comparison to a matched sample of men without a newborn child. Therefore, it is hard to determine that the baby played a role in the onset of depression in these men (Albicker, 2019). In clinical settings, fathers are mostly under-diagnosed and under-treated for PPD. Often during regular well-child visits, screenings for PPD are only done for mothers. Men are also less likely to seek health care services due to feelings of masculinity, shame and stigmatization of mental illness (Albicker, 2019). Therefore, future studies must include a more comprehensive look into the risk factors and effects of PPD in men. For example, to determine if a newborn increases the chances of depression in men, it is necessary to include a study with a control group to compare new fathers with a control group of men without babies. Health care services must also increase regular screenings for new fathers and reduce the stigma around receiving mental health services in men. More research must also be done on the possible treatment methods for men with PPD, such as antidepressants, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). References Albicker, J., Hölzel, L. P., Bengel, J., Domschke, K., Kriston, L., Schiele, M. A., & Frank, F. (2019). Prevalence, symptomatology, risk factors and healthcare services utilization regarding paternal depression in Germany: Study protocol of a controlled cross-sectional epidemiological study. BMC Psychiatry, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2280-7 Escriba-Aguir, V., & Artazcoz, L. (2010). Gender differences in postpartum depression: A longitudinal cohort study. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 65(4), 320–326. https://doi.org/10.1136/jech.2008.085894 Horsager-Boehrer, R. (2021, August 17). 1 in 10 dads experience postpartum depression, anxiety: How to spot the signs: Your pregnancy matters: UT southwestern medical center. Your Pregnancy Matters | UT Southwestern Medical Center. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://utswmed.org/medblog/paternal-postpartum-depression/ Rao, W.-W., Zhu, X.-M., Zong, Q.-Q., Zhang, Q., Hall, B. J., Ungvari, G. S., & Xiang, Y.-T. (2020). Prevalence of prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers: A comprehensive meta-analysis of observational surveys. Journal of Affective Disorders, 263, 491–499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.10.030 Scarff J. R. (2019). Postpartum Depression in Men. Innovations in clinical neuroscience, 16(5-6), 11–14. Cognitive distortions are automatic thought patterns that are inaccurate and reinforce negative thinking or emotions. These automatic thoughts “distort” our thinking by leading us to believe something that is both unhelpful and untrue (Bollen et al., 2021). Psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Aaron Beck is known for first proposing the theory behind cognitive distortions in the 1960s. He would then form the central part of his cognitive theory and, later, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
In his book (1963), he lists five types of cognitive distortions.
Dr. David Burns was an early student of Dr. Beck and helped popularize CBT. In his book (1980), he included more unhealthy thinking styles while also re-wording some of Beck’s distortions:
The theory underlying CBT states that cognitive distortions are associated with certain mental health disorders. These conditions include anxiety and depression. One anxiety disorder that’s largely affected by cognitive distortions is social anxiety disorder. Social anxiety disorder (SAD) occurs when individuals fear and endure discomfort or avoid social situations, such as social interaction or performances that may involve social scrutiny (Cook et al., 2019). These individuals are more likely to have negative thinking patterns that overestimate the probability and severity of negative social events and interactions. With depression, cognitive distortions were found to have a positive relationship, meaning as depression increased, cognitive distortions increased with helplessness and self-blame being the top two predictors of mental well-being (Yüksel & Bahadir-Yilmaz, 2019). Cognitive distortions were also found to mediate the relationship between trauma and suicide ideation (Whiteman et al., 2019). Researchers (2019) revealed that negative cognitions about the world and about the self were strong predictors of suicide ideation. These findings support the routine assessment of cognitive distortions and suicide ideation in survivors of trauma and of those who are experiencing anxiety and depressive symptoms. Cognitive distortions can be combatted with CBT, which has been known to help redirect negative thought patterns into more positive ones (Beck, 1963). It can also help you challenge your negative thoughts and emotions, and encourage you to find the source of those thoughts. Fortunately, there are many resources to help you challenge your cognitive distortions and identify their root cause.
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