Suicidal thoughts common in people with multiple sclerosis
20 September 2002
Suicidal thoughts are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially in those who live alone, have major depression or abuse alcohol.
But how long people have had the condition, the severity of symptoms and level of cognitive impairment does not seem to increase their suicide risk.
These are some of the findings from Canadian research in 140 community-living patients who attended an MS clinic in Toronto.
More than one in 4 patients had thought about suicide and 9 had attempted suicide, the researchers wrote in Neurology (2002; 59: 674-78).
But one-third of people who had thought about suicide had not received any psychological help.
Among the whole group of patients, about one in 3 had a past or current history of major depression.
Two-thirds of those with current major depression, all suicidal, had not received antidepressant medication.
According to 1997 figures from the MS Society, there are 12,000-15,000 Australians with MS.
Last Reviewed: 20 September 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 20/09/02
