Acne: teens with severe acne more prone to suicidal thoughts
24 September 2010
Teenagers with acne, especially males, are more likely to experience mental health problems and have suicidal thoughts, according to new research (J Invest Dermatol 2010 Sep 16, online).
Suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide) was three times more likely among boys with severe acne compared with their peers, and twice as common among girls with severe acne, questionnaires of almost 4000 Norwegian 18- to 19-year-olds found.
Teens with acne also had higher rates of mental health problems, struggled more at school and were less likely to have had sexual intercourse.
While studies had linked isotretinoin treatment (e.g. Roaccutane) and suicide, low rates of isotretinoin use in the study population prompted the authors to speculate it was the acne itself that led to mental health problems.
| National Helplines | |
|---|---|
| If you or someone you know is depressed and/or having suicidal thoughts, see your doctor, or phone one of these helplines. | |
| Lifeline (24 hours) | 13 11 14 |
| Kids Helpline (under 18 years of age) | 1800 55 1800 |
| Just Ask - rural mental health information | 1300 13 11 14 |
| Mensline Australia (24 hours) | 1300 78 99 78 |
| SANE Helpline - mental illness information, support and referral | 1800 18 SANE (7263) |
Last Reviewed: 24 September 2010
- 1. Halvorsen JA, Stern RS, Dalgard F, et al. Suicidal ideation, mental health problems, and social impairment are increased in adolescents with acne: a population-based study. J Invest Dermatol 2010 Sep 16. [Epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1038/jid.2010.264 http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/jid2010264a.html (accessed 7 Oct 2010).
