The reasons behind why someone might contemplate taking their own life are multifaceted, involving numerous elements that contribute to intense feelings of hopelessness and despair.
A substantial new study published this week in JAMA Network Open indicates that severe visual impairment can significantly impact a person’s mental state, potentially more than doubling the risk of experiencing suicidal thoughts.
According to Julie Cerel, PhD, a psychologist and director of the Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, the connection between vision and mental health might not be immediately obvious.
“For me, the study is interesting because it never actually occurred to me that there could be a connection between vision impairment and suicide risk. But I can see how sight problems may create a change in how a person functions and their mental health. It may increase a person’s sense of being a burden on others and not belonging,” says Dr. Cerel, who was not involved in the research.
How Does Vision Influence Your Mental State?
The new research emphasizes that individuals with significant vision impairment frequently report a troubling decline in quality of life, decreased physical activity, social isolation, reduced autonomy, financial difficulties, and elevated levels of depression – factors that can all contribute to suicidal thoughts.
in a nationwide survey of over 2,000 adults, nearly 90% of respondents considered eye health to be a crucial aspect of their overall well-being, with blindness being identified as the most severe possible health outcome.
Vision Problems Associated with Suicidal Thoughts, Behaviors, and Death
In this analysis, scientists in Korea reviewed data from 31 previous studies investigating the link between suicidal tendencies and visual impairment. These studies encompassed a combined population of 5.6 million people.
Participants experienced a range of vision problems, including blindness, partial blindness, glaucoma, and significant difficulty seeing even with glasses. Among the 17 studies that specifically assessed suicidal behavior, researchers discovered that individuals with visual impairments were about two and a half times more likely to exhibit such tendencies compared to those without sight issues.
From 21 studies that evaluated suicidal ideation, scientists determined that those with vision impairments had just over double the risk.
Data from eight studies on suicide deaths indicated that the risk was nearly 1.9 times higher for individuals with limited vision. This paper did not examine whether correcting vision problems and receiving treatment to better cope with sight issues reduced the risk of suicide.
Teens with Vision Impairments Have Increased Suicide Risk
When examining different age groups, the study authors observed “a particularly pronounced risk” of suicide among adolescents with vision impairments.
The American Psychological Association highlights that suicidal thoughts are already a significant issue among teens, with statistics indicating that over 20 percent have seriously contemplated taking their own lives.
“Receiving a visual impairment diagnosis when you’re 12 or 14 compared with 85 may have a much more profound impact on a person. An impairment like this can have lifelong complications and an adolescent may not be prepared to deal with it,” says Dr. Cerel.
The study authors note that research specifically focusing on this issue in adolescents has been limited, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive investigation.
“Practitioners who work with visually impaired youth should consider implementing suicide risk screening with these youths as part of medical care,” says Michele Berk, PhD, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences with a focus on children and adolescents at Stanford University in California.
Additionally, she emphasizes that further research is necessary to understand how factors such as depression, hopelessness, and disruption of daily activities may be influenced by vision impairment, in order to develop effective intervention strategies.
“It is recommended that clinicians remain attentive to the elevated risk and be ready to implement suitable suicide prevention measures when required, especially when dealing with adolescents,” concluded the authors.
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