Spontaneous remission of depression after attempted suicide by hanging: a case report and literature review.

This is a case report of a spontaneous remission of depression after an attempted suicide by hanging. The patient suffered from cardiopulmonary arrest and anoxic encephalopathy, but recovered without apparent neurologic sequelae. The authors review the literature and explore the possible effects of hypoxia and hypercapnea on the locus ceruleus and the limbic system which could contribute to the patient's remission of symptoms. Also discussed are the psychosocial factors affecting patients' moods after a suicide attempt.