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PORPHYRIA FACTS: PSYCHIATRIC: SUICIDE
Suicide has for years ranked high in cause of mortality in porphyria patients.
SOURCE:
Dr. Kenneth Carlson
Neuropsychiatric Medicine
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Suicide is one of the top three causes of deeath in porphyria patients.
ISuicide follows only respiratory paralysis, and ranks along with kidney failure,.
liver failure and HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma aka liver cancer).
SOURCE:
Robert Johnson MD
Internal Medicine
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Suicide is the act of deliberately taking one's own life.
Suicidal behavior is any deliberate action with potentially life-threatening
consequences, such as taking a drug overdose or deliberately crashing a car.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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Suicide associated with porphyria usually accompanies the emotional
disturbance of depression.
More than 90% of all suicides are related to a mood disorder or other
psychiatric illness.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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Suicidal behaviors often occur as a response to a situation that the person views
as overwhelming.
This includes social isolation, emotional trauma, serious physical illness,
unemployment or financial problems, guilt feelings, and drug dependence.
In the U.S., suicide accounts for about 1% of all deaths each year.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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Suicide attempts that do not result in death far outnumber completed suicides.
Many unsuccessful suicide attempts are carried out in a manner that makes
rescue possible.
They often represent a desperate cry for help
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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Many porphyria patients speak of suicide openly during "down" times.
Many porphyria patients have attempted suicide. Fortunately they were
unsuccesful.
SOURCE:
Dr. Kenneth Carlson
Neuropsychiatric Medicine
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The method of suicide varies from relatively nonviolent methods (such as
poisoning or overdose) to violent methods (such as shooting oneself).
Males are more likely to choose violent methods, which probably accounts for
the fact that suicide attempts by males are more likely to be completed.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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It is important for porphyria patients to have a support group network in which to
verbalize their feelings and to have support during "down" times.
SOURCE:
Dr. Kenneth Carlson
Neuropsychiatric Medicine
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Suicide attempts should always be taken seriously and mental health care
should be sought immediately.
Dismissing them as "attention seeking" can have devastating consequences.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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Relatives of people who seriously attempt or complete suicide often blame
themselves or become extremely angry, seeing the attempt or act as selfish.
However, when people are suicidal, they often mistakenly believe that they are
doing their friends and relatives a favor by taking themselves out of the world
and these irrational beliefs often drive their behavior.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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Depression is a key factor in suicide attempts by porphyria patients.
Depression will present especially after a series of negative medical events, or
loss of societal associations such as the ability to socialize, hold a job, or care
for one's family.
SOURCE:
Dr. Kenneth Carlson
Neuropsychiatric Medicine
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A sudden change in behavior, especially calmness after a period of anxiety or
giving away belongings, attempts to "get one's affairs in order" are warning
signs of a direct or indirect threats to commit suicide.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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Emergency measures may be necessary after a person has attempted suicide.
First aid, CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation may be required.
Hospitalization is often needed, both to treat the recent actions and to prevent
future attempts.
Psychiatric intervention is one of the most important aspects of treatment.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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All suicide threats and attempts should be taken seriously.
About one-third of people who attempt suicide will repeat the attempt within one
year, and about 10% of those who threaten or attempt suicide eventually do kill
themselves.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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A person who threatens or attempts suicide MUST be evaluated by a mental
health professional promptly. NEVER IGNORE A SUICIDE THREAT OR
ATTEMPT!
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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Many people who attempt suicide talk about it before making the attempt.
Often, the ability to talk to a sympathetic, nonjudgmental listener is enough to
prevent the person from attempting suicide.
For this reason suicide prevention centers have telephone "hotline" services.
Again, do not ignore a suicide threat or attempted suicide.
As with any other type of emergency, it is best to immediately call the local
emergency number (such as 911). Do not leave the person alone even after
phone contact with an appropriate professional has been made.
SOURCE:
David Taylor, M.D.
Department of Psychiatry
University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Philadelphia, PA.
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