Suicide and behavior disorders can go hand in hand. Find out how behavior disorders affect suicide statistics. Get help for a loved one with a behavior disorder if they discuss suicide.

Do suicide and behavior disorders have any correlation? According to the National Institute of Mental Health the following are risk factors for suicide:

• Depression/mental disorders, substance abuse disorders (more than 90% of people who commit suicide have one of these disorders).
• Stressful life events in conjunction with other disorders like depression.  It is important to note that suicidal tendencies are not typical reactions to stress or other disorders.  Many people have stressful life events or disorders without any sign or thoughts of suicide.
• Prior suicide attempt.
• Family history of mental disorder and/or substance abuse.
• Family history of suicide.
• Family history of abuse, physical, sexual or emotional.
• Firearms in the home, this is the method used in more than 50% of suicides.
• Incarceration.
• Exposure to suicidal behaviors of others, such as family members, peers, media figures.

Suicide is the 8th leading cause of death in men and the 16th leading cause in women.  Four times as many males commit suicide than females.  Although women and men tend to use different methods when committing suicide the most common methods are:  firearms, poison and suffocation.

Children are not prone to suicide.  If you suspect that your child has had suicidal thoughts or behaviors it is imperative to get professional help as soon as possible.

It is also important to note that while depression often follows behavior disorders there are medicines prescribed to adolescents and children for depression that have been known to increase the persons likelihood of suicide, thus creating a link between suicide and behavior disorders.  Please visit with your health care professional to learn more about these medications and what the benefits and risks are.

Anyone who suffers from any mental disorder or behavior disorder is statistically more likely to have suicidal tendencies.  Please make sure that you and/or your children are under a health care professionals care if you have these disorders.

Related Article: Adult Behavior Disorders >>