Citation

Kaminer Y. Child Adolesc. Psychiatr. Clin. N. Am. 1996; 5(1): 59-71.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/s1056-4993(18)30385-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

There may be two different clusters of suicidal individuals, the first characterized by aggressive and violent outbursts and the second by depression or withdrawal. PSUD is a high-risk factor in suicidal behavior. An adolescent male who is likely to be intoxicated and to have access to a firearm is at the highest risk for suicide. Lack of intervention by a mental health professional, especially after a precipitating stressful event, previous suicide attempts, and homicidal ideations, adds to the risk. Although there is a clear association between depression and suicidal behavior among adolescents, clinicians should exercise caution in assuming that suicide risk declines significantly following an adolescent's response to treatment for depressive symptomatology. The existence of other high-risk factors such as substance abuse and other environmental factors is still a threat. Predicting who will commit suicide is difficult, even among high- risk adolescents. Decreased availability of firearms and treatment of PSUDs and other accompanying psychopathology, however, is crucial as part of the effort to prevent suicidal behavior.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; suicide; health education; alcohol; preventive medicine; alcoholism; family; depression; aggression; traffic accident; suicide attempt; suicidal behavior; drug overdose; firearm; cocaine; alcohol intoxication; review; substance abuse; alcohol abuse; mental disease; priority journal; impulsiveness; psychostimulant agent; affective neurosis