Suicide is a major health problem worldwide, with well over 1 million of deaths per year. Suicidal thoughts are more common than suicide attempts, with the latter occurring about 10 times more frequently than completed suicides. Among the most important risk factors are depression and anxiety/other mental health disorders combined with physical diseases such as chronic pain. Compared with the general population, individuals with chronic pain have more than double the risk of suicide and significantly higher prevalence of the following disorders:
· Depression (20.2% vs. 9.3%)
· Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (10.7% vs. 3.3%)
· Any anxiety disorder (35.1% vs. 18.1%)
General Risk Factors for Suicide in Patient with Chronic Pain:
· Being unemployed/disabled
· Poor sleep
· History of drug use (e.g., high opioid dose/abuse)
· Family history of suicide
· Past suicide attempts
· Co-occurring mental health disorder, especially depression
· Social withdrawal
· Family history of depression
· Hopelessness
Pain-Specific Risk Factors for Suicide in Patient with Chronic Pain:
· Pain location (low back, generalized)
· High pain intensity
· Pain duration
· Pre-pain history of depression
· Pain Etiology (complex regional pain syndrome, fibromyalgia)
· Catastrophizing
· Pain-related helplessness
· Burdensomeness (Feeling “I’m a burden to others”)
Due to high risk of suicide in patients with comorbid depression and chronic pain, mental health assessment, including early, appropriate treatment is of paramount importance. Here at NRS/LS, we offer psychological assessment/testing and evidence-based treatments for depression/other disorders and chronic pain (e.g., Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Medical Adjustment Counseling®, and Biofeedback). If you or someone you know struggles with symptoms of depression and chronic pain, please contact our office for a consultation.
Basia Andrejko-Gworek, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychology