What is suicidal behavior?
Suicidal behavior is defined as a preoccupation or act that is
focused on causing one's own death voluntarily. An intent to
cause one's death is essential in the definition. Suicidal
ideation refers to thoughts of suicide or wanting to take one's
own life. Suicidal behavior refers to actions taken by one who
is considering or preparing to cause his/her own death. Suicide
attempt usually refers to an act focused on causing one's own
death that is unsuccessful in causing death. Suicide refers to
having intentionally caused one's own death.
What causes adolescents to attempt suicide?
Adolescence is a stressful developmental period filled with
major changes - body changes, changes in thoughts, and changes
in feelings. Strong feelings of stress, confusion, fear, and
uncertainty, as well as pressure to succeed, and the ability to
think about things in new ways influence a teenager's problem
solving and decision making abilities. For some teenagers,
normal developmental changes, when compounded by other events or
changes in their families such as divorce or moving to a new
community, changes in friendships, difficulties in school, or
other losses can be very upsetting and can become overwhelming.
Problems may appear too difficult or embarrassing to overcome.
For some, suicide may seem like a solution. As many as 12 to 25
percent of older children and adolescents experience some form
of thoughts about suicide (suicidal ideation) at one time or
another. When feelings or thoughts become more persistent, are
accompanied by changes in behavior or specific plans for
suicide, the risk of a suicide attempt increases.
What is known about teen suicide?
Over the last several decades, the suicide rate in young people
has increased dramatically. In 1997, suicide was the third
leading cause of death in 15 to 24 year olds, and the third
leading cause of death in 10 to 14 year olds. According to the
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), reliable scientific
research has found the following:
There are as many as eight attempted suicides to one completed
suicide - with the ratio even higher in youth.
The strongest risk factors for attempted suicide in youth are
depression, substance abuse, and aggressive or disruptive
behaviors. The Surgeon General's call to action To Prevent
Suicide, 1999 reported the following:
Among persons aged 15 to 19 years of age, firearm-related
suicides accounted for 63 percent of the increase in the overall
rate of suicide from 1980 to 1996.
Males under the age of 25 are much more likely to commit
suicide than their female counterparts. The 1996 gender ratio
for people aged 15 to 19 was 5:1 (males to females).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports
the following:
Males are four times more likely to die from suicide than
females.
Females are more likely to attempt suicide than males.
What are the risk factors for suicide?
Suicide risk factors vary with age, gender, and cultural and
social influences and may change over time. Risk factors for
suicide frequently occur in combination with each other. The
following are some suicide risk factors that may be present:
one or more diagnosable mental or substance abuse disorders
impulsive behaviors
undesirable life events or recent losses (i.e., death, parental
divorce)
family history of mental or substance abuse disorder
family history of suicide
family violence, including physical, sexual, or
verbal/emotional abuse
prior suicide attempt
firearm in the home
incarceration
exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, including family,
peers, in the news, or in fiction stories
Warning signs of suicidal feelings, thoughts, or behavior:
Many of the warning signs of possible suicidal feelings are also
symptoms of depression. Observations of the following behaviors
by parents and care givers may be helpful in identifying
adolescents who may be at risk of attempting suicide:
changes in eating and sleep habits
loss of interest in usual activities
withdrawal from friends and family members
acting out behaviors and running away
alcohol and drug use
neglect of personal appearance
unnecessary risk-taking
preoccupation with death and dying
increased physical complaints frequently associated with
emotional distress such as stomach aches, headaches, and fatigue
loss of interest in school or schoolwork
feelings of boredom
difficulty concentrating
feelings of wanting to die
lack of response to praise
indicates plans or efforts toward plans to commit suicide,
including the following:
verbalizes "I want to kill myself," or "I'm going to commit
suicide."
gives verbal hints such as "I won't be a problem much longer,"
or "If anything happens to me, I want you to know ...."
gives away favorite possessions; throws away important
belongings
becomes suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
may express bizarre thoughts
writes one or more suicide notes Threats of suicide communicate
desperation and a cry for help. Always take statements of
suicidal feelings, thoughts, behaviors, or plans very seriously.
Any child or adolescent who expresses thoughts of suicide should
be evaluated immediately.
The warning signs of suicidal feelings, thoughts, or behaviors
may resemble other medical conditions or psychiatric problems.
Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
Treatment for suicidal feelings and behaviors: Specific
treatment for suicidal feelings and behaviors will be determined
by your teen's physician based on:
your teen's age, overall health, and medical history extent of
your teen's symptoms seriousness of the attempt your teen's
tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations regarding future suicide risk your opinion or
preference Any adolescent who has attempted suicide requires an
initial physical evaluation and treatment until he/she is
physically stable. Mental health treatment for suicidal
feelings, thoughts, or behaviors begins with detailed evaluation
of events in the adolescent's life during the two to three days
preceding the suicidal behaviors.
A comprehensive evaluation of the adolescent and family
contributes to decisions regarding treatment needs. Treatment
recommendations may include individual therapy for the
adolescent, family therapy, and, when necessary, hospitalization
to provide the adolescent a supervised and safe environment.
Parents play a vital supportive role in any treatment process.
Prevention of suicide:
Recognition and early intervention of mental and substance
abuse disorders is the most effective way to prevent suicide and
suicidal behavior. Studies have shown that suicide prevention
programs most likely to succeed are those focused on
identification and treatment of mental illness and substance
abuse, coping with stress, and controlling aggressive behaviors.
Suicide is a tragic and potentially preventable public health
problem. In 1999, the Surgeon General of the United States
announced a Call to Action to prevent suicide by introducing a
strategy for Awareness, Intervention, and Methodology (AIM). The
plan includes research initiatives, conferences, and evaluation
of the effectiveness of current prevention programs. The
National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) is
already working to raise awareness of suicide as a serious
public health problem. Consult your child's physician for more
information.
|
