Teen Troubles: Suicide
Each year in the US, thousands of teenagers commit suicide. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds. Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts. In some cases, suicide appears to be a solution to a life of pain and sorrow.
Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. The child needs to have her illness recognized and diagnosed, and appropriate treatment plans developed. When parents are in doubt whether their child has a serious problem, a psychiatric examination can be very helpful. Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression. The following activities might be signs of suicidal tendencies in teens:
- change in eating and sleeping habits
- withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
- violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away
- drug and alcohol use
- unusual neglect of personal appearance
- marked personality change
- persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork
- frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.
- loss of interest in pleasurable activities
- no acceptance of praise or reward
- complaints of being a bad person or feeling "rotten inside"
- verbal hints with statements such as: "I won't be a problem for you much longer," "Nothing matters," "It's no use," and "I won't see you again"
- giving away favorite possessions, cleaning his or her room, throwing away important belongings, etc.
- becoming suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
- having signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts)
If one or more of these signs occurs, talk to your child about their concerns and seek professional help when the concerns persist. If a child or adolescent says, "I want to kill myself," or "I'm going to commit suicide," always take the statement seriously and seek evaluation from a child and adolescent psychiatrist or other physician. People often feel uncomfortable talking about death. However, asking the child or adolescent whether he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide can be helpful. Asking your child about your concerns will provide assurance that somebody cares and will give the young person the chance to talk about problems. With support from family and professional treatment, children and teenagers who are suicidal can heal and return to a healthier path of development.
