Youths Aged 9 to 12 with Asthma are more likely to Commit Suicide

Laura Almasy

doi:10.37421/2572-0791.2023.9.58

Perspective - (2023) Volume 9, Issue 3

Youths Aged 9 to 12 with Asthma are more likely to Commit Suicide

Laura Almasy^*

^*Correspondence: Laura Almasy, Department of Psychiatry Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA, Email:

Author information

Department of Psychiatry Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA

Received: 01-Jun-2023, Manuscript No. cdp-23-106134; Editor assigned: 03-Jun-2023, Pre QC No. P-106134; Reviewed: 15-Jun-2023, QC No. Q-106134; Revised: 20-Jun-2023, Manuscript No. R-106134; Published: 27-Jun-2023 , DOI: 10.37421/2572-0791.2023.9.58
Citation: Almasy, Laura. “Youths Aged 9 to 12 with Asthma are more likely to Commit Suicide.” Clin Depress 9 (2023): 58.
Copyright: © 2023 Almasy L. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Introduction

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. It is a disease that affects people of all ages, but it is more common in children. According to the World Health Organization, around 235 million people worldwide have asthma, and the prevalence is increasing. Suicide is a serious issue that affects people of all ages. According to the World Health Organization, suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally. Suicide is a complex issue that has many risk factors, including mental illness, substance abuse, and stress. However, a new study has shown that youths aged 9 to 12 with asthma are more likely to commit suicide. In this article, we will discuss the findings of this study, the potential reasons why youths with asthma are more likely to commit suicide, and the steps that can be taken to prevent this from happening.

Description

A study was conducted in Taiwan that aimed to investigate the relationship between asthma and suicide risk. The study was conducted using data from the National Health Insurance Research Database, which includes information on all healthcare services provided to Taiwanese citizens. The study looked at data from 2000 to 2013 and included information on 4,955,684 children aged 9 to 12 years. The study found that youths with asthma were 46% more likely to attempt suicide and 53% more likely to die by suicide than youths without asthma. The study also found that youths who had been hospitalized for asthma were at an even greater risk of suicide, with a 72% increased risk of attempting suicide and an 85% increased risk of dying by suicide [1-3].

There are several potential reasons why youths with asthma may be more likely to commit suicide. One possible reason is the psychological impact of living with a chronic illness. Asthma can be a debilitating disease that can cause anxiety, stress, and depression. Children with asthma may feel isolated and different from their peers, which can lead to feelings of loneliness and low self-esteem. They may also experience limitations in their daily activities, such as sports and physical activities, which can contribute to feelings of frustration and disappointment [4]. Another possible reason is the side effects of medication used to treat asthma. Some medications used to treat asthma, such as corticosteroids, have been linked to mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. These side effects may be more pronounced in children, who are still developing both physically and mentally. Finally, it is possible that the relationship between asthma and suicide risk is not causal but instead related to common underlying factors. For example, both asthma and mental illness may be influenced by genetic factors, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors. Children with asthma may also have other health conditions or risk factors that increase their risk of suicide [5].

Conclusion

Screening for mental health issues: Health professionals who treat children with asthma should be aware of the increased risk of mental health issues among this population and should screen for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Providing mental health support: Children with asthma should have access to mental health support, such as counselling or therapy, to help them manage the psychological impact of their condition. Educating parents: Parents of children with asthma should be educated about the increased risk of suicide among their children and should be encouraged to monitor their child's mental health.