Depression- 18F

Question 1

Epidemiology of suicide

Answer 1

• 1.6%
• 13.7/100k
• only top 10 cause of death that is increasing

Question 2

Suicide deaths

Answer 2

• men more than 9x’x more likely to complete suicide
• men use more lethal means
• highest rates: white men, Inuit/Native American men

Question 3

Describe features of suicide attempts in the elderly

Answer 3

• greater use of lethal means
• firearm use more common in elderly women compared to younger women
• higher rates of completed suicide
• higher M:F completion
• higher rates of double suicide (spouse)

Question 4

Biology of suicide

Answer 4

• low csf 5-HIAA in lumbar CSF
• decreased 5-HIAA & 5-HT in brainstem and frontal cortex (post-mortem)
• L allele tryptophan hydroxylase (TFH) genotype

Question 5

What are some truths about suicide

Answer 5

• our ability to predict suicide is POOR

- suicide symptoms are common

Question 6

Which therapy has been shown to decrease rates of suicide attempts?

Answer 6

DBT

Question 7

Mental disorder with highest suicide risk

Answer 7

Eating Disorders

Question 8

Biggest risk factor for suicide

Answer 8

-meeting criteria for a mental disorder (>90%)

Question 9

Effective meds decreasing suicide risk

Answer 9

• Lithium (bipolar disorder)
• Clozapine (Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective)
• Antidepressants (elderly >75y)