The UK paper titled ‘Mental health outcomes of encephalitis’, an international web-based study, surveyed 445 respondents from 31 countries and found that 37.5 per cent of survivors of Encephalitis reported they had thought about or attempted suicide
Two new research papers from authors in the UK and Mexico have identified that Encephalitis patients are at a high risk of suicide and self-harm.
The UK paper titled ‘Mental health outcomes of encephalitis’, an international web-based study, surveyed 445 respondents from 31 countries and found that 37.5 per cent of survivors of Encephalitis reported they had thought about or attempted suicide.
The Mexican paper ‘Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Anti-Nmdar Encephalitis: Psychopathological features and clinical outcomes’ published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, gained data from 120 patients and found that 12.5 per cent of patients had suicidal behaviours during early stages of the illness with nearly half carrying out a suicide attempt.
Both papers have been released in association with the Encephalitis Society to help raise awareness of World Encephalitis Day which takes place on 22nd February 2023.
Dr Ava Easton, CEOm Encephalitis Society and co-author on both papers said: “These impactful and important research papers raise awareness that suicidality can be a not uncommon and serious manifestation of encephalitis in the early stages as a result of the illness, during relapses, and perhaps later in people’s journey of recovery.
She added, “We want anyone affected by encephalitis and mental health problems, including thoughts of suicide and self-harm, to know that symptoms are often highly treatable and help and support are available from the Encephalitis Society wherever they live in the world. World Encephalitis Day is a focal point for our global community who have been affected or impacted by Encephalitis. On this very important day we want to project unity, common ground and offer support while we raise awareness.”
A 2020 study in Denmark found that suicide rates in patients diagnosed with encephalitis to be nearly double that of people without the diagnosis of a neurological disorder.
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