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Updated 9/30/01.
October, 2001
The Warning Signs and Major Risk Factors of Teenage Suicide
Each year, thousands of American teenagers are diagnosed with
clinical depression. If ignored or poorly treated, it can be a
devastating illness for adolescents and their families. A new book,
Understanding
Teenage Depression, provides the latest scientific research on
this serious condition and the most up-to-date information on its
treatment. Drawing on her many years of experience as a psychiatrist
working with teenagers, Dr. Maureen Empfield answers the questions
parents and teens have about depression. Maureen Empfield, M.D., is
director of psychiatry at Northern Westchester Hospital Center in Mt.
Kisco, New York, and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at
Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. She is the
author or coauthor of more than a dozen publications for the
professional market. Nicholas Bakalar is a New York-based writer and
editor.
Although it is almost impossible to predict precisely which
teenager will attempt suicide, there are warning signs that parents
can look for. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
has assembled this list of indications. If one or more of these signs
occur, parents should talk to their teenager and seek professional
help.
- Unusual changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
- Violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away
- Excessive drug and alcohol abuse
- 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
- Not tolerating praise or rewards
- Complaints of feeling “rotten inside”
- Giving verbal hints such as “Nothing matters,”
“It’s no use,” or “I won’t be a problem
for you much longer”
- Putting his or her affairs in order by giving or throwing away
favorite possessions or belongings
- Becoming suddenly cheerful after an episode of depression
In high-risk patients—that is patients who have threatened or
attempted suicide—there are four risk factors that account for
more than 80% of the risk for suicide: major depression, bipolar
disorder, a lack of previous mental health treatment, and the
availability of firearms in the home. If these four problems were
solved, most suicides would be prevented.
Source: Maureen Empfield, M.D. and
Nicholas Bakalar
* * *
There is no hope of joy except in human relations. - Antoine de
Saint-Exupery
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