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Suicide Rate Soars for Middle-Aged

Scientists baffled by 16% spike for Boomers

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 21, 2008 5:02 AM CDT

(Newser) – A sharp rise in the number of middle-aged white people taking their own lives has driven up the US suicide rate by nearly 5% since 1999, the Los Angeles Times reports. Experts are baffled by the nearly 16% hike in this group, but speculate that prescription drug abuse, a drop in the use of hormone replacement therapy by menopausal women, or post-9/11 stress could be the cause—as could widespread Boomer disappointment.

"The generation as a group was so large, and their expectations were so great, that not everyone in the group could get what he or she wanted as they aged,” a sociology professor told the Chicago Tribune. “This could lead to disappointment that could undermine happiness."

[Images (3)]

[Quotes (2)]

Tourists walk next to a help phone sign on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

Studies have shown that abuse of prescription drugs like OxyContin puts the user at higher risk of depression and suicide. (AP Photo/Toby Talbot )

Scientists are stumped by the nearly 16% hike in suicides among middle-aged whites. (Shutterstock)

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The bottom line is while we can't infer a lot of things about what is causing the trend, I think it cries out for better depression screening and treatment. - Dr. Ian Cook, an associate professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine

When you get into middle age and start evaluating whether your dreams have been fulfilled–when you realize you’re not going to be a Master of the Universe and besides that you’re balding and aging—that can be hard. - Dr. Jan Fawcett, a professor of psychiatry

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Suicide Rate Soars for Middle-Aged