By combining all of these patient ratings over time, we are able to compare results across patients and different subtypes of bipolar disorders. This should make it possible to provide useful data to clinicians about the most effective treatments for depression occurring as part of the course of various forms of bipolar disorder. It has been shown in several previous studies that patients who have heart attacks have a five times greater likelihood of dying in the six months following the heart attack if they are in a depression. This is a long-term study now in its second year. PhD Related to our studies in depression and its more effective treatment are ongoing studies of the prevention of suicide.
Suicide is our nation's ninth most common cause of death each year.
While more common in older age groups, suicide has been increasing two to threefold as a prevalent cause of death in people 15 to 30 years of age over the past 20 years. Slightly less that half of all suicides take place in individuals who are already seeking treatment for a mental illness. More than 95 percent of individuals who commit suicide are found to have a major psychiatric diagnosis, most commonly depression, but are not in treatment for their illness. Clark has been conducting studies of families where an adolescent suicide has occurred to determine possible missed warning signs. The findings of this work funded by the NIMH has led to a grant from the McDonald Foundation to develop a case networking service designed to follow high risk adolescents in an effort to prevent suicide attempts.