Despite the alarming statistics, researchers noted that individuals with personality disorders are often overlooked in mental health care.
SEOUL, March 1 (Korea Bizwire) — While depression is widely recognized as a leading risk factor for suicide, new research suggests that individuals with personality disorders face an even greater likelihood of taking their own lives.
A study led by Professor Jeon Hong-jin from the Department of Psychiatry at Samsung Medical Center found that people diagnosed with personality disorders were 7.7 times more likely to die by suicide than those without mental illness.
The findings, published in the latest issue of Molecular Psychiatry, highlight the urgent need for targeted mental health interventions.
The research team analyzed national health insurance data from 3.95 million South Korean adults who underwent medical checkups in 2009 and were tracked until 2021. Of these, 263,754 individuals were diagnosed with mental illnesses, and 12,290 died by suicide.
Among mental health conditions, personality disorders—characterized by deeply ingrained, distorted thought and behavior patterns that disrupt interpersonal relationships and professional life—posed the greatest risk.
These include paranoid personality disorder, marked by excessive distrust and suspicion; histrionic personality disorder, where individuals exhibit dramatic attention-seeking behaviors; and borderline personality disorder, associated with unstable self-image, emotional turmoil, and impulsivity.
Personality disorders—characterized by deeply ingrained, distorted thought and behavior patterns that disrupt interpersonal relationships and professional life—posed the greatest risk. (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
Other mental illnesses also significantly increased suicide risk. Bipolar disorder patients were 6.05 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, while schizophrenia (5.91 times), obsessive-compulsive disorder (4.66 times), substance use disorder (4.53 times), alcohol use disorder (4.43 times), and post-traumatic stress disorder (3.37 times) also showed elevated risks.
Depression, often cited as the primary mental health driver of suicide, had a lower relative risk factor of 2.98.
The study further revealed that personality disorders had the highest suicide incidence rate, with 2.49 deaths per 1,000 person-years.
Despite the alarming statistics, researchers noted that individuals with personality disorders are often overlooked in mental health care.
They estimated that around 10% of the general population may suffer from such conditions but are less likely to seek treatment due to a tendency to externalize blame and resist medical intervention.
Professor Jeon emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and intervention, stating, “Providing timely treatment and fostering supportive environments through community awareness can make a significant difference in reducing suicide risks for individuals with personality disorders.”
As South Korea grapples with one of the highest suicide rates among developed nations, experts urge policymakers to implement stronger mental health initiatives, ensuring that those at the highest risk receive the necessary care and support.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
