Suicidal ideation in non-depressed individuals: The effects of a chronic, misunderstood illness, Devendorf et al, 2018

"On the question of suicide risk and chronic fatigue syndrome / myalgic encephalomyelitis continued
The paper by Andrew Devendorf and colleagues [1] brought me back to a complicated and sensitive topic previously discussed on this blog (see here) regarding the issue of suicide risk in the context of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Specifically, the Devendorf findings provide some potentially important information about the possible reasoning behind suicide risk in the context of ME/CFS: "(1) feeling trapped and (2) loss of self, loss of others, stigma and conflict.""

"I don't think anyone should really be surprised by the Devendorf results. With ME/CFS you have a condition that literally steals life from people; for example, rendering previously fit and active people to sometimes being bed-bound for days and days (or even longer) at a time. Add in a 'boom-bust' pattern of symptoms (see here) and the various 'environmental' effects (to employment, finances, social life, etc) of the condition, and well, I'm often surprised how resilient people with ME/CFS are."

blog here:
https://questioning-answers.blogspo...tion-of-suicide-risk-and-MECFS-continued.html

 

https://twitter.com/user/status/1039145541781868544

 

This thread has not had that many views.

Though the title is unpleasant (understatement), it actually lists many good reasons why PwME have good reason to feel "without hope" at times.
Tom K has tweeted many relevant extracts which are great for retweeting or just reading for info/relevance.

 

https://twitter.com/user/status/1050008778836516864

 

Merged thread

Suicidal ideation in non-depressed individuals: The effects of a chronic, misunderstood illness - Andrew R. Devendorf, Stephanie L McManimen, Leonard A Jason

Abstract
Chronic illness is a risk factor for suicide but is often explained with depression. Research has shown an increased suicide rate in patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome, but specific risk factors have been unexplored. We qualitatively analyzed responses from 29 patients who endorsed suicidal ideation but did not meet depression criteria. Two themes were developed: (1) feeling trapped and (2) loss of self, loss of others, stigma and conflict. Myalgic encephalomyelitis and chronic fatigue syndrome caused patients severe disability, restructured their lives, and inflicted serious pain. Participants emphasized that they were not depressed, but felt trapped by the lack of treatments available.

 

Can anyone translate? Does this mean

1) "Chronic illness is often explained with depression" ?

2) "Chronic illness is often explained by depression" ?

3) "Suicide is often explained with depression" ?

4) "Suicide is often explained by depression" ?

I hate it when I can't understand what is alleged to be normal English.

 

Full article : https://sci-hub.se/https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105318785450

 

This particular statistic can't be trusted. In 2003, when Cavanagh et al published it, the vast majority of researchers and doctors took it for granted that ME was a psychiatric condition. Just like at one time the vast majority of doctors and researchers believed women with MS were hysterical and attention seeking, (and if MUS gains even more ground it will be again). Ditto with rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, chronic pelvic pain etc.

 

TRIGGER WARNING

I have contemplated suicide but only as a final response to a level of pain and this is not mentioned. I have an eye condition which feels like chili being rubbed into them every time I go into REM sleep. My eye doctor referred to it as a nasty little disease and together we have worked out a regime which has got it to a manageable level.

My ME pain is often severe but not prolonged. If it does become unendurable I have this as a reserve option, though I would rather opt for opioid addiction

Why do psychologists always leave out the physical when the mind body divide is meant to be such a bad thing?

 

Seems to be a new article based on this paper.

"Overcoming this is going to be difficult: Suicide risk, stigma, and chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a debilitating illness that affects 1.5 million Americans. Because it is linked with higher risks of suicide, scientists are seeking strategies that may prevent suicide in these patients. In this study, we learned that reducing the surrounding stigma may be one crucial strategy."

https://thesciencebreaker.org/break...cide-risk-stigma-and-chronic-fatigue-syndrome

 

Preventing suicide will really happen when more effort is put into determining the problem and offering treatments which work. The conditions this illness imposes are truly cruel, next I guess to someone who is a paraplegic. The scientific community has shilly shallied with this devastating condition. Shame on them all, is all I have to say.