| Date post: | 13-May-2015 |
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Health & Medicine |
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Understanding the evidence on suicide risk in family carers of people with dementia
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer
Research FellowCentre for Health Practice InnovationGriffith [email protected]
@Siobhan_ODwyer
Caring for a person with dementia is more burdensome than caring for a person with a physical disability
Family carers of people with dementia have higher than average rates of depression, anxiety, and poor physical health
Depression, anxiety, and poor physical health are all risk factors for suicide in the general population
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
But what about suicide in family carers of people with dementia?
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
O’Dwyer, Moyle, Zimmer-Gembeck & De Leo. (2013). Suicidal ideation in family carers of people with dementia: A pilot study. International Journal of
Geriatric Psychiatry (Early View)
The First Study
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
1 in 4 family carers had
contemplated suicide more than once in the
previous year
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
Only half had ever to
ld
someone they might die
by suicide
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
One third said they were likely to attempt suicide in the future
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
Higher levels of burden, hopelessness, anxiety & depression
Used more dysfunctional coping strategies
Lower levels of optimism, self-efficacy & social support
Reported more behavioural & psychological symptoms of dementia
Carers who had contemplated suicide…
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
O’Dwyer, Moyle, Van Wyk. (2013). Suicidal ideation and resilience in family carers of people with dementia:
A pilot qualitative study. Aging and Mental Health, 17(6), 753-760.
The Second Study
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
Department name (edit in View > Header and Footer...)
Half had contemplated suicide while caring for
a person with dementia
One quarter had made preparations
for a suicidal act
None had attempted suicide
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
I was just so tired that I just wanted to sleep. I didn’t want to die. I’ve never wanted to die. I just wanted to get off the merry-go-round. I just wanted it all to stop.
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
A couple of times there I thought about how I could get away with bumping myself off…because my insurance and all that stuff would’ve set my wife up forever
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
I can’t abandon her. Everybody else has. I would never do that to her. That sense of ‘she needs me, so you don’t abandon a baby’ is stronger than the need for me to do anything to myself
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
Pre-existing mental health problems
Comorbid physical health problems
Conflict with family or care staff
Risk Factors
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
It’s almost like something’s pulling me down and I could do so much more if I didn’t have that (depression)
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
I was being pushed into a corner by the care staff and it was even mentioned at one point “we’ll revoke your enduring power of attorney and we will put him under guardianship”
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
I just so envy the ones at the nursing home who have three sisters and a whole lot of people sharing it. But then we’ve never had that. I don’t know what it is to have a ‘whole’ family.
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
Practical coping strategies
Personal characteristics (e.g. compassion, flexibility, determination)
Social support
Faith
Resilience Factors
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
Attempted suicides?
Deaths by suicide?
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
Lessons for Clinical & Community Practice
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
1. It’s important to ask about suicide*
*but you must be prepared to handle the response
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
www.mhfa.com.au
www.livingworks.com.au/Training-Programs.html
2. Improve your skills…
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
3. Refer carers in crisis to…
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer, Griffith University, September 2013
For more information
Dr Siobhan O’Dwyer
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @Siobhan_ODwyer
AcknowledgementsDementia Collaborative Research Centres @DementiaCRC
Carers Queensland @CarersQLD
Wendy Moyle @WendyMoyle2
Diego De Leo
Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck
