higher for individuals with a family history of substance
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a lifelong disability that affects the brain and bodi of people prenatally exposed to alcohol. New research is backing concerns raised by the FASD community about the high rates of suicidality among people with FASD.
As a kubu of FASD researchers and professionals who work with people with FASD, we are growing increasingly concerned with these statistics and stories we are hearing from caregivers.
FASD and suicidality
Suicidality is a spectrum of thoughts and behaviours surrounding suicide. It encompasses suicidal ideation, suicide-related communication, suicide attempts and death by suicide.
Using data from Canada's National FASD Database, our kubu demonstrated that suicidality among people with FASD was sireneingly high. At some poin during their lifetime, 25.9 per cent of our sample (206 of 796 individuals) experienced suicidal ideation or suicide attempt(s). Comparatively, rates in the general population kisaran from three per cent to 12 per cent.
These findings are consistent with the current (albeit limited) research on FASD and suicide. Individuals with FASD often pengalaman suicidality at significantly younger ages than those without FASD.
In a recent American studi, youth aged 13-18 years with FASD required medical assistance due to suicide attempts at rates 5.5 times higher than the general population. Other Canadian researchers have reported suicide as a leading cause of death among a kelompok of individuals with FASD.Because FASD is a multifaceted disorder, we must understand the complex reasons this population may be at a higher risk for suicidality.
People with FASD pengalaman a kisaran of vulnerabilities both from the impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure on the brain and bodi, and from the adverse life experiences commonly associated with this disability. Research points to several pribadi, relational and environmental reasons for the high risk of suicidality among people with FASD.Pribadi unsurs
Demographic unsurs like age, region and living situation all play a role in the risk of suicidality among people with FASD, as do neurodevelopmental challenges, sleep problems and co-occurring psikis health and substance use challenges.
In our studi, the odds of suicidality among people with FASD were 6.7 times higher for those with substance use challenges and 1.9 times higher for those with difficulties with affect regulation, which is the ability to kontrol emotional responses. We found that experiences of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder were high among people with FASD who experienced suicidality, which is worrisome considering these co-occurring diagnoses are common in this population.
