For some mothers, this level of depression leads to thoughts of suicide. Science Daily recently posted a release covering the findings of a two-year study by Ruth Paris, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Practice at Boston University’s School of Social Work, Rendelle E. Bolton, a graduate student at the BU School of Social Work and M. Katherine Weinberg, Ph.D., a psychologist and an infant development specialist.

Researchers found that in situations where the woman is contemplating taking her own life, the mother-infant relationship and development is a negative experience. She has greater mood disturbances, cognitive distortions, low maternal self-esteem, negative perceptions of her effectiveness as a new parent and noticeably less responsiveness to her infant’s cues.

In a study of 32 new mothers, 53 percent, or 17 of the mothers, made up the high suicidal group. Women within this group were experiencing more sleep and eating problems as well as greater severity in overall struggles that can be attributed to postpartum depression.

Those women in the suicidal group had poorer self esteem and felt they were less prepared for mothering. As a result, these women expected a poor relationship with their infants.

At the same time, the infants of suicidal mothers exhibited less positive behavior in the form of fewer smiles and more fussing. According to the study, "Infants of highly suicidal mothers were somewhat more passive and less engaged in the interactions.”

"These mothers… were also feeling more anxious, emotionally labile, mentally confused, had experienced a greater loss of self and felt greater guilt about their experience.”
 

A recent Science Daily report examined the findings of researchers working with Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans that suggest post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased risk for thoughts of suicide.

Those veterans who screened positive for PTSD were as much as four times more likely to report suicide-related thoughts compared to veterans without the disorder. The research establishes PTSD as a risk factor for thoughts of suicide in Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans.

Researchers also determined this holds true even after accounting for other psychiatric disorder diagnoses, such as substance abuse and depression. Those veterans screening positive for PTSD and two or more co morbid mental disorders were significantly more likely to experience thoughts of suicide compared with veterans struggling with PTSD alone.

Of those veterans participating in the study, 46 percent experienced suicidal thoughts or behaviors in the month prior to seeking care. Of these 46 percent, three percent reported an actual attempt on their own life within four months prior to seeking care.

Researchers have determined that suicide-related thoughts and behaviors discovered in a returning veteran who has been diagnosed with PTSD, especially in the presence of other mental disorders, may suggest an increased risk for suicide. Such individuals should be kept under close medical care as they can present a risk to themselves.