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Teens at Risk for Suicide
by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. and Jane Robinson, Ph.D.
reviewed by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.
There are several developmental and psychological factors that place teens at greater risk for suicide or suicidal gestures than adults. Not only are adolescents struggling to discover who they are and what they may become, they often hold beliefs that either make them prone to risk-taking behaviors or lead them to resist seeking help when they need it.
Two of the most common teen beliefs are:- The imaginary audience: Adolescents believe that adults and peers are much more interested in their activities than is really the case. It is as if the whole world is watching their every move, critiquing everything they say and do--in other words, the world is their stage. Consequently, when teens are upset or angry they take a certain pleasure in imagining the effect of their behavior on others, and this includes suicide. Suicide becomes a means of getting back at those people who have made them angry or hurt them.
- The personal fable: Teens view themselves as special, even immortal. They believe that nothing bad can happen to them. This attitude can lead to dangerous behavior and risk-taking, and it also causes some teens to have difficulty acknowledging their own distress. In other words, "I'm not depressed--it's everyone else who has the problem."
Triggers for teenage suicide
One of the most common triggers (37 percent in one study) for suicide or suicidal gestures is a disciplinary crisis. If a suicide-prone teen gets into trouble at school, for example, he might try to end his life before his parents find out about the disciplinary problem. If he gets into trouble at home or in the neighborhood--wrecking the car, for example, or getting caught stealing-that also could trigger a suicide attempt. Other common triggers include events that bring feelings of shame or loss, being embarrassed in front of peers, or a serious argument with a boyfriend, girlfriend, or parent.
High-risk children and adolescents
There is a long list of risk factors that increase the chances that a child might attempt suicide. Some may seem obvious, others are more subtle:- Severe and persistent family conflict, particularly if it involves threats or physical violence. Parental alcohol and drug abuse, which often accompany violence, are also risks.
- Absent parents, particularly if through death (especially suicide) or abandonment.
- Serious mental illness in a parent or a sibling.
- Homosexuality and worries about homosexuality. Gay and lesbian youth have a 30 to 40 percent higher suicide rate than their heterosexual peers. This statistic speaks to the tremendous pain that the fear of homosexuality, along with the attendant peer rejection and ridicule, imposes on teens.
- Drug and alcohol use, both because of the destructive effect of substance use on teens' supportive relationships and because teens are much more likely to act impulsively when using drugs or alcohol.
- A history of impulsive behavior, poor social skills, learning disabilities, or attention deficit disorders, because of the great emotional strains that often accompany these conditions.
- Overly high parental expectations. Some teenagers and young adults who are outwardly very successful may be at risk if they believe that they can never meet their parents' expectations, no matter what they achieve in terms of academics, sports, or other fields. Young people who are pushed too hard or expected to always achieve at the highest levels often view a minor failure as devastating.
None of these factors alone guarantees that a child will attempt suicide, of course. But the presence of even one should put you on the alert for other signs of emotional strain or unhappiness. Although suicide is horrible to consider, unless you keep your eyes open and consider the possibility that your own child could need help, you won't be able to recognize the risks early enough to take action.
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Created June 16, 2001
Reviewed September 18, 2004
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