StayOnTop: Depression

June 18, 1924 –
Today just a random example of death by depression: Reuben Wanamaker (57), who since 1913 had been a judge in the state of Ohio's Supreme Court.
   Wanamaker had sought medical treatment for severe depression since 1923, which had not helped him (remember, modern antidepressant medication did not yet exist).
   On June 18th, six days after entering the Columbus Mount Carmel hospital in a bid to have his depression treated more effectively, Wanamaker killed himself by jumping from a fourth story hospital window.
   This case illustrates one of my own strong impressions that may still be valid today: when hospitalizing depression patients, the suicide risk appears to peak in the very first week after admission to the clinic.

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