66% of Adults with Asperger Syndrome Have Suicidal Thoughts

Adults with Asperger Syndrome (AS) are more likely to experience thoughts of suicide, according to a first-of-its kind, large-scale clinical study.

“Adults with AS often suffer with secondary depression due to social isolation, loneliness, social exclusion, lack of community services, under-achievement, and unemployment. Their depression and risk of suicide are preventable with the appropriate support,” said Simon Baron-Cohen, PhD, professor of developmental psychopathology at the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
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The study featured 374 adults (256 men and 118 women) diagnosed with AS between 2004 and 2013.

Researchers found that 66% of adults with AS reported significantly higher rates of suicidal thoughts as compared to 17% of the general population and 59% in patients with psychosis.

Additionally, 35% of adults with AS had planned or attempted suicide during their lifetime.

“Our findings confirm anecdotal reports that adults with Asperger Syndrome have a significantly higher risk of suicide in comparison to other clinical groups, and that depression is a key risk factor in this,” said Sarah Cassidy, PhD, Msc, who manages the databases and other projects at the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge.

Among adults with AS, those with depression were 4 times as likely to experience suicidal thoughts and twice as likely to attempt or plan suicide compared to adults than individuals with no history of depression.

Higher levels of autistic traits was a second risk factor for suicide plans or attempts.

The complete study is published in the June issue of The Lancet Psychiatry.

-Michelle Canales

References:

Cassidy S, Bradley P, Robinson J, et al. Suicidal ideation and suicide plans or attempts in adults with Asperger’s syndrome attending a specialist diagnostic clinic: a clinical cohort study. Lancet Psych. 2014 June 25 [epub ahead of print] doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70248-2.

University of Cambridge. Adults with Asperger Syndrome at greater risk of suicidal thoughts [press release]. June 25, 2014. www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/adults-with-asperger-syndrome-at-greater-risk-of-suicidal-thoughts. Accessed June 25, 2014.