The risk factors for suicidal ideation can be divided into three categories: psychiatric disorders, life events, and family history.
Mental disorders Suicidal ideation is a symptom of many mental disorders but can also occur in response to adverse life events without the presence of a mental disorder. For example, many individuals with
borderline personality disorder exhibit recurrent suicidal behavior and suicidal thoughts. One study found that 73% of patients with borderline personality disorder have attempted suicide, with the average patient having 3.4 attempts. The following list includes the disorders that have been shown to be the strongest predictors of suicidal ideation. These are not the only disorders that can increase the risk of suicidal ideation. The disorders where the risk is increased the greatest, in arbitrary order, include: •
Mood disorders •
Major depressive disorder •
Persistent depressive disorder •
Bipolar disorder •
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder •
Anxiety disorders •
Neurodevelopmental disorders •
Autism spectrum disorder •
Nightmare disorder •
Gender dysphoria Recent sociological work has increasingly emphasised meaning, culture, and meso-level mechanisms in explanations of suicide. • Certain studies associate those who experience suicidal ideation with higher alcohol consumption • Not only do some studies show that solitary binge drinking can increase suicidal ideation, but there is also a positive feedback relationship causing those who have more suicidal ideation to have more drinks per day in a solitary environment or being a
minority group of any kind •
Unemployment • Death of family members or friends • End of a relationship or being
rejected by a romantic interest • Major change in life standard (e.g., relocation abroad) • Other studies have found that
tobacco use is correlated with depression and suicidal ideation •
Social isolation •
Unplanned pregnancy •
Bullying •
Cyberbullying •
Workplace bullying • Previous
suicide attempts • Having previously attempted suicide is one of the strongest indicators of future suicidal ideation or suicide attempts • Community violence • Undesired changes in body weight • Women: increased
BMI increases the chance of suicidal ideation • Men: severe decrease in BMI increases the chance of suicidal ideation • In general, the obese population has increased odds of suicidal ideation in relation to individuals that are of average-weight • Exposure and attention to suicide related images or words
Family history • Parents with a history of depression • Valenstein et al. studied 340 adults whose parents had experienced depression. They found that 7% of the offspring had suicidal ideation in the previous month alone • Abuse • Adolescence: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse • Family violence • Childhood residential instability • Certain studies associate those who experience suicidal ideation with
family disruption increasing the risk of suicidal thoughts in some patients. Some medications, such as
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can have suicidal ideation as a side effect but can also be effective as antidepressants. Monitoring is advised for those who take SSRIs. In 2003, the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the agency's strictest warning for manufacturers of all antidepressants (including
tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs] and
monoamine oxidase inhibitors) due to their association with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Further studies disagree with the warning, especially when prescribed for adults, claiming more recent studies are inconclusive in the connection between the drugs and suicidal ideation. Most people are under the influence of
sedative-hypnotic drugs (such as alcohol or benzodiazepines) when they die by suicide, with alcoholism present in between 15 and 61% of cases. Use of prescribed
benzodiazepines is associated with an increased rate of suicide and attempted suicide. The pro-suicidal effects of benzodiazepines are suspected to be due to a psychiatric disturbance caused by side effects, such as
disinhibition, or withdrawal symptoms.
Relationships with parents According to a study conducted by Ruth X. Liu of
San Diego State University, a significant connection was found between the parent–child relationships of adolescents in early, middle, and late
adolescence and their likelihood of suicidal ideation. The study consisted of measuring relationships between mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, mothers and sons, and fathers and daughters. The relationships between fathers and sons during early and middle adolescence show an inverse relationship to suicidal ideation. Closeness with the father in late adolescence is "significantly related to suicidal ideation". Liu goes on to explain the relationship found between closeness with the opposite sex parent and the child's risk of suicidal thoughts. It was found that boys are better protected from suicidal ideation if they are close to their mothers through early and late adolescence; whereas girls are better protected by having a close relationship with their fathers during middle adolescence. An article published in 2010 by Zappulla and Pace found that suicidal ideation in adolescent boys is exacerbated by detachment from the parents when depression is already present in the child. Lifetime prevalence estimates of suicidal ideation among nonclinical populations of adolescents generally range from 60 to 75% and in many cases its severity increases the risk of suicide. Parents who are unaccepting of their child's expressed LGBTQ sexuality create a hotbed for suicidal ideation (see under LGBTQ youth below). ==Prevention==