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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on September 12, 2014, at 21:49:06
Not a surprise to me as sunshine always makes me feel so much better and gives more energy.
Medscape Medical News > Psychiatry
Sunshine Directly Influences Suicide Incidence
Caroline Cassels
September 10,
The amount of daily sunshine individuals receive appears to have a direct impact on suicide incidence, new research suggests.A large, retrospective analysis of all officially confirmed suicides in Austria shows that the number of hours of daily sunshine and the number of daily suicides during a 40-year period were "highly correlated."
Researchers found there was a positive correlation between the number of suicides and hours of daily sunshine on the day of the suicide and up to 10 days before that seemed to facilitate suicide; sunshine occurring 14 to 60 days prior was associated with a reduction in suicides.
"Duration of daily sunshine was significantly correlated with suicide frequency independent of season, but effect sizes were low. Our data support the hypothesis that sunshine on the day of suicide and up to 10 days prior to suicide may facilitate suicide," the authors led by Benjamin Vyssoki, MD, Medical University of Vienna, write.
"More daily sunshine 14 to 60 days previously is associated with low rates of suicide. Our study also suggests that sunshine during this period may protect against suicide," they add.
The study was published online September 10 in JAMA Psychiatry.
The investigators point out that light interacts with brain serotonin systems and may influence serotonin-related behaviors, including mood and impulsiveness, which can play a role in suicide.
They also note that their previous research demonstrated that seasonal changes in sunshine are associated with seasonal variations in suicide incidence, particularly violent suicides.
To further confirm the hypothesis that sunshine has a direct role in the variation in suicide incidence, the investigators looked at the relationship between the number of suicides and duration of sunshine after removing seasonal variations in sunshine and suicide numbers.
The study included data on 69,462 officially confirmed suicides in Austria between January 1970 and May 2010. Hours of sunshine per day were calculated from 86 representative meteorologic stations.Daily number of suicides and daily duration of sunshine were differentiated to remove variation in sunshine and variation in suicide incidence introduced by season.
Results revealed that the duration of sunshine influenced suicide rates independently of seasonal rhythms, the investigators report.
"Moreover, they show that sunshine has a bimodal effect on suicidal behavior as an increase in suicide was found in short time scales, while after longer periods more sunshine was associated with decreased suicide.
"Further research is warranted to determine which patients with severe episodes of depression are most susceptible to the suicide-triggering effects of sunshine," the investigators write.
The authors report no relevant financial relationships.
JAMA Psychiatry. Published online September 10, 2014.
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 13, 2014, at 9:38:41
In reply to Sunshine Correlates With Suicide Rates, posted by Phillipa on September 12, 2014, at 21:49:06
This doesn't surprise me..
It is known that in scandinavian countries many people are depressed and commit suicide during the dark winter.
They don't have sunshine for months.
Posted by Hello123 on September 13, 2014, at 13:29:11
In reply to Re: Sunshine Correlates With Suicide Rates, posted by Lamdage22 on September 13, 2014, at 9:38:41
Sunshine has been one of the best things for my mood. nothing better than going out on a warm, sunny day.
Posted by linkadge on September 13, 2014, at 14:15:09
In reply to Re: Sunshine Correlates With Suicide Rates, posted by Hello123 on September 13, 2014, at 13:29:11
This study actually is suggesting that when sunlight increases suicide *increases*.
This is why suicide is more prevalent in the spring, as the hours of sunlight is increasing rapidly.
However, they did say that its not long periods of sunlight (i.e. months), instead its recent sunlight (i.e. suicide increases when there is an increase in sunlight in the last 10 days).
Linkadge
Posted by Beckett on September 13, 2014, at 14:56:40
In reply to Re: Thats not what the study shows, posted by linkadge on September 13, 2014, at 14:15:09
> This study actually is suggesting that when sunlight increases suicide *increases*.
>
> This is why suicide is more prevalent in the spring, as the hours of sunlight is increasing rapidly.
>
> However, they did say that its not long periods of sunlight (i.e. months), instead its recent sunlight (i.e. suicide increases when there is an increase in sunlight in the last 10 days).
>
> LinkadgeAccording to T.S. Eliot, 'April is the cruelest month'. God, it is for me.
Posted by Phillipa on September 13, 2014, at 20:16:35
In reply to Re: Thats not what the study shows » linkadge, posted by Beckett on September 13, 2014, at 14:56:40
Time change? Phillipa
Posted by babbler20 on September 13, 2014, at 23:00:35
In reply to Sunshine Correlates With Suicide Rates, posted by Phillipa on September 12, 2014, at 21:49:06
This is interesting. When I lived in the south during the winter I was more suicidal than I've ever been. Now that I live in California where there is lots of sun all year round, I'm much less suicidal
Posted by ClearSkies on September 14, 2014, at 13:43:43
In reply to Sunshine Correlates With Suicide Rates, posted by Phillipa on September 12, 2014, at 21:49:06
I have never been as ill since I moved to Florida.
I think it is a circadian thing (personally). Length of light during the day, lunar changes.
Just my opinion, nothing factual except my experiences.
Posted by Phillipa on September 14, 2014, at 20:00:14
In reply to Re: Sunshine Correlates With Suicide Rates, posted by ClearSkies on September 14, 2014, at 13:43:43
Interesting but how is the light different there? Isn't it the same? Or different time zone? Did you get more daylight before? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 15, 2014, at 6:35:11
In reply to Re: Sunshine Correlates With Suicide Rates, posted by babbler20 on September 13, 2014, at 23:00:35
I thought california would do that to me, too. Unfortunately the being alone and psychotic in a humongous foreign country thing made me more suicidal than ever in the end.
Note to self: Dont do this again unless utterly cured.
This is the end of the thread.
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