Posted by Racer on July 30, 2008, at 22:08:36
In reply to suicide and fearlessness (?), posted by linkadge on July 30, 2008, at 20:29:58
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> These are contradictory theories, however I have one possable explaination. Perhaps the increase in serotonin autorecpetor level found in depressed suicide victoms is doing what the second study suggests it would, namely increase the feedback inhibiton upon serotonin release in the amygdala. I.e. perhaps the receptor expression found in the suicide victoms is reducing amygdala (fear) responces to the contemplation of suicide.
>Interesting theory. It's funny, because I formed a theory years back that one had to be content to be able to take certain sorts of risks -- like sky diving, cliff diving, etc, activities where there was a high risk of injury or death. These days I think I was wrong, of course, but it's interesting to think of that fearlessness coming from depression, which would be opposite of my theory. Something to think about...
What strikes me about the contradictory theories, though, is that it's possible they're both right -- if depression is more than a single entity, which is what I've thought for years and still believe likely. It's possible that one flavor leads to an increased risk of suicide, while another does now. That might also explain the results.
And I am happy to note that I can accept this uncertainty. That's often hard for me, so I guess I'm making some progress, somewhere, and am pleased by that.
Thanks for posting this link, Linkadge, and your thoughts on the matter.
poster:Racer
thread:843142
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080727/msgs/843160.html