Stress, cortisol and suicide risk

O'Connor, D. B., Gartland, N. and O'Connor, R. C. (2020) Stress, cortisol and suicide risk. In: Clow, A. and Smyth, N. (eds.) Stress, Cortisol and Suicide Risk. Series: International review of neurobiology (152). Academic Press: Cambridge, MA ; London, pp. 101-130. ISBN 9780128211168 (doi: 10.1016/bs.irn.2019.11.006)

Abstract

Suicide is a global health issue accounting for at least 800,000 deaths per annum. Numerous models have been proposed that differ in their emphasis on the role of psychological, social, psychiatric and neurobiological factors in explaining suicide risk. Central to many models is a stress-diathesis component which states that suicidal behavior is the result of an interaction between acutely stressful events and a susceptibility to suicidal behavior (a diathesis). This article presents an overview of studies that demonstrate that stress and dysregulated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, as measured by cortisol levels, are important additional risk factors for suicide. Evidence for other putative stress-related suicide risk factors including childhood trauma, impaired executive function, impulsivity and disrupted sleep are considered together with the impact of family history of suicide, perinatal and epigenetic influences on suicide risk.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: O'Connor, Professor Rory
• Authors: O'Connor, D. B., Gartland, N., and O'Connor, R. C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Publisher: Academic Press
• ISSN: 0074-7742
• ISSN (Online): 2162-5514
• ISBN: 9780128211168
• Published Online: 27 January 2020

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