PTSD and suicide risk

A study of 1,698 young adults (average age 21) by researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, found that while 75% of them had been exposed to a traumatic event only 8% went on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 10% of those who had developed PTSD had attempted suicide, compared to only 2% of those who had been exposed to trauma but had not developed PTSD, and 5% of those who had never been exposed to trauma. After taking into account factors such as depression, alcohol and drug abuse the young adults who had developed PTSD had a 2.7x greater risk of making a suicide attempt. The researchers concluded that it was the development of PTSD not the trauma itself that led to the increase in suicide risk.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUKTRE5245UR20090305?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews