Suicide disease is a condition in which a person experiences chronic head pain to such an extent that they feel the only way out is to take their own life.
It affects about 1 in every 10 people with chronic head pain, and it’s a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
People who are at risk for suicide disease are those who have been diagnosed with Trigeminal neuralgia, or TN. TN is a rare disorder that causes severe facial pain that can be triggered by things like brushing teeth, eating food, or even touching the cheek.
The exact cause of suicide disease is unknown, but experts believe it may have something to do with changes in the brain’s chemistry due to chronic pain. This can lead to depression and anxiety—which are also common complications of TN—as well as suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide).