More Recent Comments

Friday, December 19, 2008

Suicides Increase Over the Holidays

 
Friday's Urban Legend: False

From 6 Medical Myths Debunked For Christmas.
The holidays can bring out the worst in people, and the stresses of family get-togethers, loneliness, and the cold, dark winter months are commonly thought to increase the number of suicides at Yule time. But studies conducted around the globe show that, while the holidays may be a difficult time for some, there is no scientific evidence to suggest a holiday peak in suicides, according to Dr. Vreeman and Dr. Carroll. Furthermore, suicides are actually more common during warm and sunny times of the year.



1 comment :

Anonymous said...

As a former obituary writer for a metro paper in Indiana the death rate among the elderly always spiked after Christmas and New Years. My hypothesis is that, all else being equal, the sick and elderly hang-on until the holidays for the benefit of visiting extended family.