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Younger onset of depression is associated with greater suicidal intent

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Abstract

Background

Age of onset of major depression seems to be dropping in Western nations. Early onset usually predicts a more serious illness with a relatively poor prognosis. Since depression is associated with suicide, this begs the question of whether early onset of depression is associated with the degree of intent of suicidal behaviour, and whether this relationship differs according to gender.

Methods

Relevant responses from 9,282 residents of the United States were drawn from a nationally representative community survey conducted in 2001 through 2003 using the W.H.O. version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. The primary outcome measure was the retrospectively determined age of first major depressive episode.

Results

Younger age of onset for depression was associated with higher levels of suicidal intent, irrespective of age at the time of interview. A significant interaction between level of intent and age at interview appeared to be accounted for by the later onset among those in the eldest cohort who reported an absence of suicidal behaviour. The influence of suicidal intent on onset of depression was greater for women than for men.

Conclusions

The earlier the age of first symptoms of major depressive episode, the higher the degree of suicidal intent, irrespective of age at interview and gender, although the more pronounced trend for women suggests a greater sensitivity to underlying factors that may involve depression and lead to suicide risk.

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Acknowledgments

I, like many other researchers, have benefited from the foresight and generosity of the collaborative effort of Professor Ronald Kessler of the Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, and the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, who have made this important data set available for public use.

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  1. Department of Public Health, Flinders University, G3-FMC Flats, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia

    Angus H. Thompson PhD

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Correspondence to Angus H. Thompson PhD.

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Thompson, A.H. Younger onset of depression is associated with greater suicidal intent. Soc Psychiat Epidemiol 43, 538–544 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-008-0329-x

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