Brain damage from traffic accidents, being attacked by intruders, or simply falling can be the cause of suicide.
Scientists at the Danish Research Institute for Suicide Prevention looked at the medical records of seven million people over a period of 34 years and found that people with head injuries were twice as likely to try to commit suicide.
Many of the people who have suffered a head injury report a variety of long-term symptoms, including memory problems, unexpected outbursts of anger, and personality changes.
The study suggests that the risk of suicide for people who have suffered from similar injuries doubles over 25 years, increasing from one in 200 to one in 100.
The study's lead author, Dr. Trine Madsen of the Danish Research Institute for Suicide Prevention, says: "Brain injury is a major public health problem with many serious consequences, including suicide."
“Falls or road accidents account for the majority of brain injuries. Wearing a helmet has a protective effect, especially for falls associated with cycling and falls that occur at work."
In the UK, about 6,500 people commit suicide every year, with men three times more likely than women. Men are also 60 percent more likely to suffer from head injuries than women.
Professor Hughie Williams, associate professor of clinical neuropsychology at the University of Exeter, said: "Brain trauma (BMI) is well known to be a leading cause of death and disability."
Promotional video:
“We've also known for a long time that THM can be a strong risk factor for suicide. THM also makes people impulsive and often leads to depression and anxiety. Failure to come to terms with a fait accompli of possible disability and physical limitations due to trauma provides a wide field for thoughts of suicide."
Dr. Reena Dutta, Senior Lecturer at King's College London and Consultant Psychiatrist, added: "The importance of the discovery is that the risk of suicide is especially high in the first 6 months after an injured person is admitted to a medical facility, and that the risk of suicide increases over time."
“Previous studies have not shown a specific period of risk for suicide before. This information will be useful for clinicians who need to be mindful of head trauma, especially in the recent past, and the frequency of contact with healthcare providers for treatment as markers of increased risk of suicide.”
The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Serg kite