QUESTION: I was really shocked and saddened by the news of Robin Williams’ suicide and his bouts with depression. I got really worried because my husband has had a history of depression. Are there any signs I should be aware of that might indicate that his depression has spiraled into thoughts of suicide? And if I notice any of these signs, what can be done to help him?
Dr. Raskin: When Robin Williams committed suicide, our nation had a real wake-up call about mental illness. If there is one positive thing that came from this tragedy, it is that we are having more conversations about depression and its consequences, and we are more vigilant about the risks of mental illness in those around us.
Suicide is a tragedy that we all would like to prevent, and there are clear warning signs to watch out for, so I am so glad that you asked. Suicide is actually the 10th leading cause of death in this country. Two-thirds of all suicides are preceded by bouts of major depression.
This is a real disease that is not just characterized by temporary sadness or a negative reaction to a life stressor, but rather a chronic condition that takes over a person’s life, making any part of their life seem arduous and difficult. Those with major depression will lose interest in their normal hobbies or leisure pursuits, will often have changes in their sleep patterns and may often eat much more or much less than normal. Furthermore, the sufferer will often express feelings of guilt, apathy or hopelessness and often lose interest in maintaining their appearance or hygiene.
Signs that a depressed loved one may be spiraling into thoughts of suicide include expressions of “tying up loose ends” like making a will, giving away valuable items or talking frequently about death. If your husband uses words like “hopeless” or “worthless” or makes calls to people to say “goodbye,” these are clearly red flags.
Having a substance disorder like drug or alcohol abuse or any prior suicide attempts also should make you much more concerned about suicide. Another common hint that someone may possibly be suicidal is if they quickly switch from being very sad to suddenly calm or happy. This may indicate that they have finalized their plans for suicide and are taking comfort knowing it will “soon be over.”
Middle-aged white men have experienced the greatest increase in number of suicides committed each year. In addition, men are less likely to get help for depression and are much more likely to be successful in their suicide attempts than women because they will often use more effective means to do the act. In fact, men account for 79 percent of suicides in this country.
As far as what you can do, the most important thing is to take the possibly suicidal person seriously. Seek help immediately by taking them to their family doctor, psychiatrist or closest hospital.
If you are unsure about what action to take, call the national suicide hotline at 800-SUICIDE to get direction.
It is always better to be safe than sorry, so even if you are not sure if your loved one is suicidal, get them to a professional as soon as possible. Depression is a treatable condition with medications, psychotherapy as well as other approaches, so there is hope for those with this serious disease.
Palisadian Damon Raskin, M.D., is a board-certified internist who offers preventative medicine, concierge services and addiction medicine to patients in and around the Palisades. Contact: (310) 459-4333. To submit your medical questions, like or follow us on Facebook.com/PalisadianPost or Twitter.com/PalisadianPost and send a message.
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