What are two conditions that increase suicide risk when co-occurring?

The rationale behind the selection of a mental health condition and a substance use disorder as conditions that co-occur and increase suicide risk is grounded in the interplay between psychological and physiological factors. When an individual is struggling with a mental health condition, such as depression or bipolar disorder, the ability to manage stressors, emotions, and decision-making can be severely compromised. Adding a substance use disorder into the mix exacerbates these vulnerabilities, as substances can impair judgment, increase impulsivity, and potentially intensify depressive symptoms. The combination of these two factors creates a heightened risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors due to their interconnected effects on mood regulation, cognition, and overall perspective on life.

Co-occurring conditions like depression and physical illness can indeed increase suicide risk, but the dynamic between a mental health condition and substance use disorder typically presents a more pronounced risk elevation due to the complications arising from substance use, which may lead to disclosure issues or challenges in adhering to treatment. Other combinations, such as anxiety and social phobia or post-traumatic stress disorder with chronic pain, do present risks, but the co-occurrence of mental health issues with substance use is consistently recognized in research as a critical factor in suicide risk assessment due to its complexity and its frequent presence in clinical populations.