Suicidal behavior in adolescents. How to recognize the problem and deal with it

Suicidal behavior includes thoughts of suicide, attempts to commit suicide, and suicide itself. This problem mainly occurs in adolescents and young people aged 15-25 years. Adults take their own lives mainly after 70 years of age.

Only a small percentage of suicide victims have serious mental disorders. Most often, such radical solutions to problems are resorted to by people with minor disorders caused by prolonged depression, or those of an impulsive nature. It is important to promptly identify symptoms of suicidal behavior in your loved one, especially a child, in order to prevent terrible consequences.

Types and types of suicidal behavior

There are 2 types of manifestations of suicidal behavior:

1. Internal.

• Passive thoughts. A person thinks about death, but not about suicide. He believes that he has no reason to live, his departure will not upset anyone. Fantasies appear that life will suddenly end, for example, in a dream.
• Intentions. Specific thoughts about suicide appear. The patient chooses a method of suicide, thinks about the place and time of action.
• Intentions. The final decision is made. A person begins to realize his plan.

These three stages can be completed in a few minutes or take months or even years.

2. External.

• True. Long thoughts about the meaning of life and existing problems lead to the desire to commit suicide. Suicide seems to be the only way out. The decision to commit suicide is thoughtful and conscious. The patient does not tell anyone directly about his thoughts, so his death often comes as a complete surprise to those around him. Although from his behavior one can suspect that something is wrong.
• Demonstrative. They consist of hints and open threats to commit suicide. In this case, the suicide usually does not intend to take his own life. He just wants to be heard by others or receive something from them. Such a person does not know how to engage in dialogue or build normal relationships. If attempts to attract attention end in death, it is usually a tragic accident.
• Hidden. Such behavioral manifestations are characteristic of those who do not dare to deliberately hurt themselves or understand that suicide is not a solution. Nevertheless, patients try to hasten death, often unconsciously. They engage in extreme sports, drive while intoxicated or at high speed, run across busy highways, and become addicted to drugs.

Attention! Don't look away!

If there is a person next to you who is trying to talk to you about death, listen to him. Try to support, show by your own example that there is a positive way out of any difficult situation. Persuade to invite a specialist to your home and receive treatment. Explain that his condition is temporary and has nothing to do with his guilt. Tell him that you can survive anything in life if you do it together. Invite a specialist (psychiatrist), do not leave the person without help. Suicidal ideation is serious. And yet, this is a situation from which there is not only one way out.

Call a specialist by calling: +7(965) 152-76-09

All materials on the site are presented for informational purposes only, approved by certified physician Mikhail Vasiliev, diploma series 064834, in accordance with license No. LO-77-005297 dated September 17, 2012, by a certified specialist in the field of psychiatry, certificate number 0177241425770.

Causes of suicidal behavior

Many factors influence a person's desire to commit suicide. They can be divided into 5 groups.

1. Personal relationships:

• childhood psychological and physical trauma;
• cruel or indifferent attitude of parents;
• growing up in a single-parent family;
• cases of suicide among loved ones;
• living with alcoholics, drug addicts, and seriously ill patients;
• misunderstanding on the part of loved ones, conflicts in the family;
• divorce and separation from a loved one;
• parental divorce;
• death of a loved one;
• cheating partner;
• unhappy or unrequited love;
• sexual incompetence;
• non-acceptance of one's own sexual orientation or gender;
• experience of sexual violence.

2. Social interaction:

• problems and bullying in the team;
• excessive stress at work and study;
• inability to establish contact with others;
• influence from groups and individuals praising death;
• forced social isolation.

3. Antisocial behavior:

• fear of criminal liability;
• an attempt to avoid shame due to an act committed;
• desire for self-punishment.

4. Material and everyday difficulties:

• job loss;
• loss of money;
• low material income in the family;
• living in unfavorable living conditions.

5. Physical condition:

• chronic pain;
• incurable pathologies;
• appearance features;
• mental illness.

There are many other reasons for suicidal behavior. A combination of several factors increases the risk of wanting to commit suicide.

Who commits suicide most often?

According to the US National Institute of Mental Health, voluntary suicide is most common in certain groups of people:

• aged 15-24 years;
• and over 60 years of age;
• suffering from mental disorders;
• survivors of a concussion or any brain injury;
• those who abuse alcohol or psychoactive substances, or, more simply, drugs;
• in people whose relatives have a psychiatric diagnosis or use drugs;
• “inmates” serving their sentences in places not so remote;
• those who have experienced domestic violence or abuse, not only physical and sexual, but also psychological;
• among those whose relatives committed suicide;
• suffering from severe or chronic, that is, incurable illness or pain;
• and, of course, a US-specific point - people having access to firearms or other weapons.

Women attempt suicide more often than men, but they succeed less often. Researchers studying this issue believe that it all comes down to the methods that representatives of different sexes use for this not the wisest of actions. Accordingly, representatives of the stronger sex make fewer attempts to voluntarily bid farewell to the mortal world, but they more often end in death.

Detection of suicidal behavior

If you look closely at a loved one, you may notice signs that indicate he or she is suicidal. The behavior of suicide victims varies, but its unnaturalness is always striking.

Most often, someone who decides to commit suicide becomes withdrawn and silent, trying to isolate himself from everyone. He loses interest in his surroundings and reacts poorly to external stimuli. He is characterized by unemotionality, inappropriate actions and statements.

Unusual aggressiveness, prudence and composure often manifest themselves. Some become hyperactive, cheerful for no reason, and fussy. Elevated mood quickly gives way to lethargy. Lost appetite. Nightmares cause sleep disturbances.

A person who is suicidal begins to talk often about death and suicide. He directly or indirectly hints at his decision to die. There is an interest in books and films with death motifs. A potential suicide person constantly views depressive images and listens to sad music. He is often under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

A suicidal person searches the Internet and print media for information about methods of suicide. A large number of pills or poisonous substances can be found in his personal belongings. Preparation for death also consists of putting things in order, reconciling with enemies, and giving away things of personal value.

Where to go for help

• Free 24-hour emergency psychological help line - 8 (495) 051 from a mobile phone.
• Unified all-Russian helpline for children, adolescents and their parents: 8 (800) 2000-122.
• Hotline of the Federal Public Institution "Center for Emergency Psychological Assistance of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia" +7 (495) 989-5050.
• Dialectical behavior therapy in Russia.
• Moscow service of psychological assistance to the population.
• Moscow psychiatric hospital for children and adolescents, assistance is provided there, including after suicide attempts.

Elena Vrono recommends reading

• Edwin Shneidman - “Soul of a Suicide,” “In the Shadow of Suicide.”
• Grigory Chkhartishvili - “The Writer and Suicide.”
• Emile Durkheim - "Suicide".

Signs of suicidal behavior in minors and children

Children are more likely to act impulsively. A fragile psyche, coupled with the inability to cope with problems, can lead to dire consequences due to any difficult situation. Spontaneous suicides usually occur before the age of 14. Teenagers carefully prepare for them.

Fortunately, only 1 case of suicidal behavior out of 100 results in death. But it is still necessary to be attentive to a child with similar tendencies. If the problems that led to the desire to commit suicide are not resolved in time, suicide attempts will be repeated. And the deeper the depression, the more serious the mental trauma will be.

A child who is thinking about death is constantly sad and cries. He locks himself in his room and refuses to communicate with relatives and friends. Lost interest in games and other activities that were previously enjoyable. Irritability and hostility arise.

Absence from school is increasing. The child stops doing homework and his academic performance drops sharply. Loss of sleep and appetite. There may be periodic complaints of physical discomfort, such as headache.

The presence of at least 2-3 symptoms should alert parents and teachers. In this case, you should immediately seek help from a psychologist. A specialist will assess the severity of depression and the level of suicide risk and help you sort out the problems.

What can we do as a society

• It is necessary to introduce psychoeducation in the country so that people’s fear of psychotherapists and psychiatrists goes away.
• Learn to talk about feelings, share experiences with loved ones.
• Create an association of suicidologists that would deal with the prevention of suicidal behavior.
• Do not glorify suicide, including in the media, so that such acts do not become an inspiring example.

In 2021, the series “13 Reasons Why” was released, the main character of which committed suicide. Ksenia Syrokvashina noted that after the first season, there was an increase in interest in the topic of suicide and an increase in the number of suicides. The world's leading psychiatric associations, before the release of the second season, released a manifesto with a direct appeal to parents: “If you think your child is vulnerable, do not let him watch this series alone. Be sure to talk to him about this, don’t leave him alone with this topic.” It was emphasized that parents need to approach this topic responsibly.

Diagnosis of suicidal behavior

To identify suicidal tendencies, a psychologist conducts conversations with a potential suicide victim and his immediate circle. The degree of risk is assessed based on personal and situational factors.

1. Personal factors.

• low self-esteem;
• lack of self-confidence;
• an urgent need for sincere and warm relationships;
• the need for understanding and support from others;
• difficulties in making decisions;
• lack of independence;
• inadequate reaction to failures;
• tendency to self-flagellation;
• inability to build relationships in society;
• infantilism.

2. Situational factors:

• unfavorable environment in the team or family;
• frequent changes of housing, study, work;
• systematic consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• participation in sects;
• significant anniversaries;
• family or personal history of suicide attempts.

During a personal conversation with a suicidal person, a psychologist assesses the strength of the anti-suicidal barrier. This is a combination of factors that shape the will to live:

• a positive attitude towards life and a negative attitude towards death;
• fear of hurting yourself;
• strong attachment to someone;
• parental obligations;
• increased sense of duty and responsibility;
• belonging to a religion that condemns suicide;
• having dreams and plans for the future.

The more of these factors there are, the less likely it is to commit suicide, and vice versa.

The following techniques are also used to identify suicidal tendencies:

• depression scale score;
• assessment on the aggression scale;
• methods for identifying and preventing suicides;
• analysis of drawings;
• studying personal pages on social networks;
• method of unfinished sentences;
• psychological games.

Suicide and mental health

As we have already written, a healthy body that works without serious disruptions is not going to die voluntarily. His task is survival, not the reverse process. According to SAVE, the non-profit organization “Voice of Suicide Education,” about 90% of people whose attempts to say goodbye to the mortal world on their own are crowned with “success” have mental disorders. Moreover, they are not necessarily identified during life, that is, these are not always those who died with a diagnosis established by doctors. According to statistics, the following conditions most often cause suicidal thoughts or attempts:

• substance abuse disorders. Moreover, these very substances are often a trigger - a sort of “trigger” that triggers the development of mental disorders in people predisposed to this;
• depressive states and disorders;
• borderline personality disorder – impulsivity, anxiety, emotional instability, low self-control and difficulties with socialization;
• bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive psychosis, is a mental illness that looks like inadequate mood swings, constant changes in energy levels and performance;
• anxiety disorders - constant worry about literally everything: work, school, appearance, money and relationships with others;
• psychosis is a condition in which a person perceives the world around him inadequately - often with delusions and hallucinations - and behaves inappropriately.

Mental illness is a serious thing.
Most of those who have never experienced this with friends or loved ones do not even realize how common such conditions are. According to various sources, from 10 to 50% (!) of therapists’ patients have mental disorders.

Up to 50! Just think: almost half of those who have ever gone to a therapist - a doctor “about everything and nothing” who refers us to various specialized specialists - are potential patients of psychiatrists!

Not everyone who contemplates suicide has a diagnosed mental illness, according to the UK charity Samaritans. But this is understandable - most of us simply did not have time to identify it.

If someone is thinking about suicide, will they kill themselves?

Experiencing suicidal thoughts does not always mean that a person is truly ready to commit a terrible act.

According to Samaritans suicide statistics, approximately one in five people will consider suicide at some point in their lives - often in response to a specific situation or temporary feeling.

In most cases, people who have thoughts of voluntarily leaving life do not commit anything irreparable.

And here there is an important nuance - there is a huge gap between suicidal thoughts and intentions. Thoughts can leave the same way they came, but intentions mean that the decision has already been made, and the person has decided to act in accordance with his plans to take his own life. It is in such situations that immediate help is needed.

Talking about suicide

Some people, for some unknown reason, believe that talking about suicide can cause suicidal thoughts in others. Scientific research has debunked this myth and proved that this is not so - conversations about voluntary death do not in any way increase the risk of such an event. Moreover, scientists insist that the effect can be completely opposite - allowing people to share their thoughts and feelings with which they are struggling can, on the contrary, reduce the chance that a person will decide on such a terrible act.

Even if the conversation about contemplating suicide is quite intrusive, do not refuse it. Remember - this can help save a life.

Starting it is not as difficult as it seems. The banal “how are you feeling?”, “have you ever felt so bad that you thought about suicide?”, or simply ask a question about thoughts about suicide directly and directly are enough. The same Samaritans in such situations advise simply listening to what the person says and not judging. There is also a special technique that can be used in such a situation, it is called “active listening”, and is used in psychological training and psychotherapy sessions. What it looks like:

• focus on the interlocutor and do not get distracted;
• ask honest, open, direct questions;
• give time for wording - don’t interrupt, let him say everything that the person wants to convey to you, even if it doesn’t take him minutes at all;
• repeat the phrases said by the interlocutor so that it is clear to him: you understand him, and are not just pretending and communicating “for show.”

Listen more - for many people it’s enough just to express what’s boiling over them. This could work as a good therapy session.