Discussion Suicidal tendencies in family

[Imhopeless]

I know I'm going to ctb soon but I dont wish it on the others in my family. I started to wonder if it's genetic because I know most of my family members died from taking their own lives, whether because they were miserable, on drugs or because they had unfaithful partners. Itd be too long of a list to talk about each and every one of them but could it be we're just doomed because of our genes? I'm honestly curious as I'm not an expert in this type of thing and internet says many things.

I know at least 2 or 3 people in my family that are currently also suicidal, so is it because of our genes or are we just really out of luck?

 

[Eternal Eyes]

I think so, and the people who say no will perhaps (not have for certain) have family members who have attempted, failed, and never spoke of it. I won't mention which of mine have, but one (not related by blood) was successful, and one blood relative attempted twice.

The reason I mention the above is I STRONGLY theorize one of my relatives failed an attempt in the mid 2000s as well. Just the vibe I have. Should note said relative is the parent of the failed attempter too.

 

[yowai]

Some mental illnesses can be hereditary and maybe stuff like generational trauma?

 

[chippyprince_]

I know I'm going to ctb soon but I dont wish it on the others in my family. I started to wonder if it's genetic because I know most of my family members died from taking their own lives, whether because they were miserable, on drugs or because they had unfaithful partners. Itd be too long of a list to talk about each and every one of them but could it be we're just doomed because of our genes? I'm honestly curious as I'm not an expert in this type of thing and internet says many things.

I know at least 2 or 3 people in my family that are currently also suicidal, so is it because of our genes or are we just really out of luck?

my mother died from herself too, so maybe it is genetic. her mother has the same issues

 

[F@#$]

You just might be onto something.

 

[dust-in-the-wind]

Yes absolutely it can definately be genetic.

 

[radiohead]

i don't believe it's genetic necessarily. i learned of a very close family friend hanging himself when i was around 10 years old and i'm confident being made aware of it then planted the idea in my head as deep as it is. as far as i'm aware, no one else in my bio family has attempted. have asked a few of them indirectly. of course mental illness can be genetic which contributes but that's not exactly what the post is about i think

btw saying 'well maybe you just don't know they did' isn't how empirical evidence works

 

[ShatteredSerenity]

There are a few ways suicidal tendencies can spread within a family:

• genetic inheritance of mental illnesses
• environmental factors like poverty, cultural attitutes about suicide, easy access to means, discrimination
• epigenetic transmission of trauma

 

[ScaredOfMachines]

The phenotypes that cause Suicidal ideation are very easily inherited. https://www.mountsinai.org/about/ne...ot-driven-by-underlying-psychiatric-disorders It's why hospitals and other places like that ask if you have any suicidal relatives if you get admitted for a suicide attempt.

Environmental factors have a lot to do with it too though, so might not all be genetic.