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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on July 30, 2008, at 20:29:58
I have been reading about the association between suicide and increased responsivness of the presynaptic serotonin autoreceptor.
According to this study, people who commit suicide have a higher expression of the 5-ht1a autoreceptor.
http://www.futurepundit.com/archives/001768.html
But there is a problem. Another researcher seems to think that depression is due to decreased responsiveness of the serotonin autoreceptor. According to him, decreased activity of the 5-ht1a autoreceptor increases the release of serotonin in amygdala and enhances stress and anxiety responces, thus leading to depression.
These are contradictory theories, however I have one possable explaination. Perhaps the increase in serotonin autorecpetor level found in depressed suicide victoms is doing what the second study suggests it would, namely increase the feedback inhibiton upon serotonin release in the amygdala. I.e. perhaps the receptor expression found in the suicide victoms is reducing amygdala (fear) responces to the contemplation of suicide.
The reason I suggest this is because I know in myself, the only thing that keeps me from offing myself sometimes is the fear of negative consequences in an afterlife. I.e. I am too chicken to do it.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2008, at 21:05:16
In reply to suicide and fearlessness (?), posted by linkadge on July 30, 2008, at 20:29:58
Feel my life is over. I've done all the things ever wanted to do and more. Nursing didn't think I could. I'm not afraid of the afterlife as wasn't brought up with religion. All I want to know is if my little dogs Brandy and Sheeba will be there as Rainbow's Bridge? If I knew they would be my plan is stop meds. No suicide just forgot. Even my pdoc has said it's a choice we all make. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on July 30, 2008, at 22:08:36
In reply to suicide and fearlessness (?), posted by linkadge on July 30, 2008, at 20:29:58
>
> These are contradictory theories, however I have one possable explaination. Perhaps the increase in serotonin autorecpetor level found in depressed suicide victoms is doing what the second study suggests it would, namely increase the feedback inhibiton upon serotonin release in the amygdala. I.e. perhaps the receptor expression found in the suicide victoms is reducing amygdala (fear) responces to the contemplation of suicide.
>Interesting theory. It's funny, because I formed a theory years back that one had to be content to be able to take certain sorts of risks -- like sky diving, cliff diving, etc, activities where there was a high risk of injury or death. These days I think I was wrong, of course, but it's interesting to think of that fearlessness coming from depression, which would be opposite of my theory. Something to think about...
What strikes me about the contradictory theories, though, is that it's possible they're both right -- if depression is more than a single entity, which is what I've thought for years and still believe likely. It's possible that one flavor leads to an increased risk of suicide, while another does now. That might also explain the results.
And I am happy to note that I can accept this uncertainty. That's often hard for me, so I guess I'm making some progress, somewhere, and am pleased by that.
Thanks for posting this link, Linkadge, and your thoughts on the matter.
Posted by chiron on July 30, 2008, at 23:42:57
In reply to suicide and fearlessness (?), posted by linkadge on July 30, 2008, at 20:29:58
> the only thing that keeps me from offing myself sometimes is the fear of negative consequences in an afterlife. I.e. I am too chicken to do it.
Yip, I am in the same boat. I am not a risk taker either. I don't believe in heaven & hell anymore, I just don't want to continue being alive/aware. If I had a button that would guarantee to simply not exist anymore I would have pushed it a long time ago.
I was hiking last weekend with a friend who mentioned that a few months ago she might of jumped off the cliff because of a harsh heartbreak. I said I would be too scared, and she asked why? People don't understand why I don't want to exist anymore or am afraid of dying. I don't understand them. I think about death every day.
Posted by linkadge on July 31, 2008, at 20:20:21
In reply to Re: suicide and fearlessness (?), posted by chiron on July 30, 2008, at 23:42:57
>If I had a button that would guarantee to simply >not exist anymore I would have pushed it a long >time ago.
That sounds familiar.
>I was hiking last weekend with a friend who >mentioned that a few months ago she might of >jumped off the cliff because of a harsh >heartbreak. I said I would be too scared, and >she asked why?
Why is she asking you why, she didn't jump?
>People don't understand why I don't want to >exist anymore or am afraid of dying. I don't >understand them. I think about death every day.
I hear you, although I don't want to start a chain reaction here. I mentioned it because there seems to be an assumption that suicide is an indicator of depression sevarity. I personally think some of the most depressed people don't commit suicide. Those who do may just have more guts.
Linkadge
Posted by raisinb on July 31, 2008, at 20:55:06
In reply to Re: suicide and fearlessness (?) » chiron, posted by linkadge on July 31, 2008, at 20:20:21
I think that's true. A few months ago I was the most depressed I've ever been. I would have dearly loved to die. But every time I started reading about methods and planning, it seemed so overwhelming and scary that I just dissolved into helplessness again.
Posted by Phillipa on July 31, 2008, at 23:25:04
In reply to Re: suicide and fearlessness (?) » chiron, posted by linkadge on July 31, 2008, at 20:20:21
Agree.Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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