Letter to the Editor

Earlier Onset of Depression and Suicide Rates

Authors: Leo Sher, MD

Abstract

To the Editor: Suicide rates have been increasing in the United States for nearly 2 decades. In 2017, 14 of every 100,000 people in the United States died by suicide, according to a Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention report, a 33% increase since 1999.1 Suicide rates have increased for both males and females.
Posted in: Mental Health44

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References

1. Hedegaard H, Curtin SC, Warner M. Suicide mortality in the United States, 1999-2017. NCHS Data Brief 2018;(330):1-8.
2. Burke KC, Burke JD, Jr Rae DS, et al. Comparing age at onset of major depression and other psychiatric disorders by birth cohorts in five US community populations. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1991;48:789-795.
3. Thompson AH. Younger onset of depression is associated with greater suicidal intent. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2008;43:538-544.
4. Twenge JM, Cooper AB, Joiner TE, et al. Age, period, and cohort trends in mood disorder indicators and suicide-related outcomes in a nationally representative dataset, 2005-2017. J Abnorm Psychol 2019;128:185-199.
5. Zisook S, Lesser I, Stewart JW, et al. Effect of age at onset on the course of major depressive disorder. Am J Psychiatry 2007;164:1539-1546.