FeaturedOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·July 31, 2020·4 min readPandemic Leads to Higher Depression, Anxiety and FearDuring the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, people reported an increase in symptoms of depression, fear, anxiety, psychological trauma, and suicidal ideations.Read More
FeaturedPsychology·July 27, 2020·6 min readLithium in Drinking Water Linked With Lower Suicide RatesStudy reports naturally occurring lithium in public drinking water may lower suicide rates. Researchers found that in geographical areas with high concentrations of lithium in drinking water, suicide rates were lower in the population.Read More
FeaturedPsychology·June 18, 2020·3 min readSuicide rate for people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders 170 times higherSuicide rates for those with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are 170 times higher than the general population. Suicide risk is predicted by key factors including age, evidence of mood disorders and hospitalization. An increased risk of suicidal behavior in those with SSD occurrs within the first five years following diagnosis.Read More
FeaturedNeurologyNeurosciencePsychology·June 11, 2020·4 min readHallucinations in people with seizures may point to suicide risk8% of patients with a history of seizures reported experiencing hallucinations. Of the 8%, 53% reported one or more suicide attempts. Findings suggest hallucinations associated with seizures are not just incidental but are a marker for mental health risks and suicidal behavior.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·April 7, 2020·3 min readSuicide attempt survivors have lower sensitivity to bodily signalsSuicide survivors have higher pain tolerance and are less sensitive to bodily signals associated with their breathing and heart. Researchers found those who attempted suicide were able to tolerate the breath-hold and cold-pressor interoceptive challenges significantly longer than those who had no history of suicidal behavior. The interoceptive numbing was linked to lower brain activity in the insular cortex.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscience·March 1, 2020·3 min readLife expectancy not improving for first time in 100 yearsFor the first time in 100 years, life expectancy has failed to increase in the population. For the poorest 10% of women, life expectancy has declined. Mortality rates of those aged between 45 and 49 have increased as a result of suicide and substance abuse.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 24, 2020·3 min readWhy Edgar Allan Poe probably did not kill himselfComputerized language analysis reveals linguistic markers of depression were found in Poe's personal letters and professional writing, but none are consistent with suicidal ideations.Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·February 16, 2020·4 min readDepression memes may be a coping mechanism for people with mental illnessThose with depression find internet memes that rate as depressive more relatable and funnier. They also thought the depressive memes could be used to improve the mood of others with depression.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·February 8, 2020·5 min readFamily dynamics may influence suicidal thoughts in childrenFindings show suicidal thoughts can begin in children as young as nine years of age. Family conflict and parental monitoring are significant predictors of suicidal thoughts in children.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·January 19, 2020·5 min readNo clear evidence of increase in adolescent suicide after ’13 Reasons Why’Contrary to the initial findings, a reanalysis of data from a 2019 study found no clear relationship between a rise in teenage suicide and the Netflix show "13 Reasons Why".Read More
FeaturedNeurosciencePsychology·January 16, 2020·2 min readLifetime suicide risk factors identifiedAnalyzing previous studies, researchers have identified the effects of individual and environmental risk factors for suicide over a person's lifespan. The risk factors, researchers report, change throughout a person's lifetime.Read More
FeaturedNeuroscienceOpen Neuroscience ArticlesPsychology·January 8, 2020·4 min read$1 increase in minimum wage linked to 3.5% – 6% fall in suicide rateA $1 raise in minimum wage was associated with a drop in suicide rates of between 3.5 to 6% in people with a high school education or less. The effect, researchers say, appears to be strongest during times of high unemployment.Read More
