Women are more likely to attempt suicide with a drug overdose, and most of these are unsuccessful. Adolescents and older adults are at particular risk for suicide, and the rate among teens has tripled since 1950. Suicide is also a major cause of death in anorexia. In addition to a history of attempted suicide, there are five clear warning signs. The first two are depression and alcohol or drug abuse.
Depression increases the risk of suicide ten-fold, and one third of suicides involve alcoholism.
Similarly, a chronic medical illness, or hospitalization within the past year, increases the risk, as does living alone, or being alone with no support system. The risk of suicide can actually be greatest as a depression is lifting, and you should be concerned if someone starts giving away favorite things, or becomes restless or hyperactive. It's also important to remember that not everyone who is at risk will verbalize their thoughts. We think of suicide as a continuum. It begins with the idea, then progresses to contemplation, to threats, to attempts, and then to completion.