If your teen wears a lot of dark clothing and identifies as Goth, he or she may be more at risk for depression or self-harm, according to a new study cited by Time magazine.
The study, published last week in The Lancet Psychiatry, found that 15-year-olds who identified as Goth were more likely to suffer from depression and were five times more likely to inflict self-harm before turning 18, Time reported.
Our study does not show that being a Goth causes depression or self-harm, but rather that some young Goths are more vulnerable to developing these conditions, Dr. Lucy Bowes, a lead author on the study, told Time.
The researchers said parents should monitor their children's habits often so they can offer their children support if they become too depressed, Time reported.
Depression has often been linked to self-harm and suicide, according to WebMD. In fact, depression can increase the risk of suicide, which was the 10th leading cause of death in 2013, with a suicide occurring about every 13 minutes, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Identifying potential signs of suicide can be a difficult task. But new research from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology found there are some behavior patterns that often precede suicide attempts, according to the BBC.
The study, which evaluated more than 2,800 patients who suffered from depression and 628 who attempted suicide, found that certain behaviors recur over time and put people 50 percent more at risk for suicide, the BBC reported.
"Assessing these symptoms in every depressed patient we see is extremely important, and has immense therapeutical implications," study author Dr. Dina Popovic said in a news release quoted by WebMD.
Heres a look at the four signs the study identified.
"Risky behavior"
Recklessness and risky behavior can be a sign someone may inflict self-harm. This includes reckless driving or showing promiscuous behavior, the BBC reported. These especially can be signs of suicide if someone picks up the behaviors suddenly.
"Psychomotor agitation"
Constant agitation may be a sign of suicide, too. These behaviors include pacing around the room or touching their hands often.
"It has long been known that those patients with depression who also experience anxiety and/or agitation are more likely to attempt or complete suicide," Dr. Donald Malone, chair of psychiatry and psychology at the Cleveland Clinic, told WebMD. "These symptoms can also be a clue that the underlying diagnosis is bipolar depression (manic-depressive disorder).
"Impulsivity"
Impulsive actions, such as participating in activities or acting out without reflection or a secondary thought, have also been linked to higher rates of suicide.
"Depressive mixed states"
Depression can also lead to suicide when it's mixed with levels of excitement, the study said.
The researchers said these states occur when people show signs of depression but then act out in excitement or mania, the BBC said.
"A depressive mixed state is where a patient is depressed, but also has symptoms of 'excitation,' or mania," Popovic said to WebMD. "We found this significantly more in patients who had previously attempted suicide than those who had not. In fact, 40 percent of all the depressed patients who attempted suicide had a 'mixed episode' rather than just depression. All the patients who suffer from mixed depression are at much higher risk of suicide."
For more on battling suicide:
Facebook plans to help users who show signs of suicidal thoughts online
High teen suicide rates raise alarm on reservations
Suicide may run in the family, but parents can help save their children
The study, published last week in The Lancet Psychiatry, found that 15-year-olds who identified as Goth were more likely to suffer from depression and were five times more likely to inflict self-harm before turning 18, Time reported.
Our study does not show that being a Goth causes depression or self-harm, but rather that some young Goths are more vulnerable to developing these conditions, Dr. Lucy Bowes, a lead author on the study, told Time.
The researchers said parents should monitor their children's habits often so they can offer their children support if they become too depressed, Time reported.
Depression has often been linked to self-harm and suicide, according to WebMD. In fact, depression can increase the risk of suicide, which was the 10th leading cause of death in 2013, with a suicide occurring about every 13 minutes, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Identifying potential signs of suicide can be a difficult task. But new research from the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology found there are some behavior patterns that often precede suicide attempts, according to the BBC.
The study, which evaluated more than 2,800 patients who suffered from depression and 628 who attempted suicide, found that certain behaviors recur over time and put people 50 percent more at risk for suicide, the BBC reported.
"Assessing these symptoms in every depressed patient we see is extremely important, and has immense therapeutical implications," study author Dr. Dina Popovic said in a news release quoted by WebMD.
Heres a look at the four signs the study identified.
"Risky behavior"
Recklessness and risky behavior can be a sign someone may inflict self-harm. This includes reckless driving or showing promiscuous behavior, the BBC reported. These especially can be signs of suicide if someone picks up the behaviors suddenly.
"Psychomotor agitation"
Constant agitation may be a sign of suicide, too. These behaviors include pacing around the room or touching their hands often.
"It has long been known that those patients with depression who also experience anxiety and/or agitation are more likely to attempt or complete suicide," Dr. Donald Malone, chair of psychiatry and psychology at the Cleveland Clinic, told WebMD. "These symptoms can also be a clue that the underlying diagnosis is bipolar depression (manic-depressive disorder).
"Impulsivity"
Impulsive actions, such as participating in activities or acting out without reflection or a secondary thought, have also been linked to higher rates of suicide.
"Depressive mixed states"
Depression can also lead to suicide when it's mixed with levels of excitement, the study said.
The researchers said these states occur when people show signs of depression but then act out in excitement or mania, the BBC said.
"A depressive mixed state is where a patient is depressed, but also has symptoms of 'excitation,' or mania," Popovic said to WebMD. "We found this significantly more in patients who had previously attempted suicide than those who had not. In fact, 40 percent of all the depressed patients who attempted suicide had a 'mixed episode' rather than just depression. All the patients who suffer from mixed depression are at much higher risk of suicide."
For more on battling suicide:
Facebook plans to help users who show signs of suicidal thoughts online
High teen suicide rates raise alarm on reservations
Suicide may run in the family, but parents can help save their children
