What Is The Relationship Between Anxiety Disorders And Suicide?

Dr. Cathy Frank answers the question: 'Anxiety Disorders And Suicide?'

ByABC News
April 15, 2008, 5:57 PM

— -- Question: What is the relationship between anxiety disorders and suicide?

Answer: Suicide is a major public health risk. We know that in the United States someone kills themselves every 17 minutes. That's a dramatic, dramatic statistic. We know that there are certain risks for suicide, and the risk may include depression, previous history of suicide attempts, a family history of suicide, alcohol or substance abuse, psychotic thinking. And we also know that panic or severe anxiety, particularly when it's coupled with other disorders such as depression, may pose a significant risk for suicide.

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