Depression is a word that is commonly used to describe different levels of sadness.  Sometimes, we say someone’s depressed when they’ve suffered a great loss. Other times we say we’re depressed after we see a sad film. Of course, depression can also describe someone who is suffering from a mental illness. We thought it was time to talk about depression and its relationship to suicide because they often go hand in hand.

Just because someone doesn’t seem depressed doesn’t mean they are not. Likewise, just because someone seems to be successful, wealthy, or popular does not mean they are not depressed. Think of the many celebrities who have died by suicide. (Anthony Bourdain, Robin Williams, Kate Spade, etc. ) Depression comes in many forms. It may be an acute reaction to a loss. It could be  a chronic condition where you feel negatively about yourself and your world. Alternatively, depression can be the result of problematic brain chemistry. It can also be caused by poor behavioral habits.  Likewise there are a variety of treatments for depression.   

As you might expect, someone who is depressed may be at a greater risk for suicide.  Feeling sad, isolated, and anxious, especially for extended periods of time, may contribute to an individual’s thoughts about ending their lives. Symptoms for depression may vary person to person and often present differently in men and women. (We discuss gender’s role in depression in this week’s blog, “Depression Symptoms Can Be Different Between Men & Women.“)  Often, people deal with feelings of depression by indulging in drugs or alcohol, and, for some people, depression can look like excessive anger. In any case, untreated depression is more likely to result in suicide.