Gwendolyn Portzky1, Kurt Audenaert, Kees van Heeringen. 1. Unit for Suicide Research, Dept. of Psychiatry, University Hospital Gent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Gent, Belgium. gwendolyn.portzky@ugent.be
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The suicide rate among young males in Belgium has doubled over the last decade. As more knowledge about risk factors is required to develop national prevention strategies, we investigated adolescent suicides using the psychological autopsy method. METHODS: A total of 32 informants were interviewed regarding 19 suicide cases (aged 15-19). A semi-structured interview schedule, constructed by Houston et al. (J Affect Disord 63:159-170, 2001), was used. RESULTS: All adolescents were suffering from one or more mental disorder(s) at the time of their death, and almost half of them were diagnosed with personality disorders. Adjustment disorders were diagnosed in one fifth of the sample, which appears to be relevant in view of the multiple life events and other psychosocial problems which adolescents were facing shortly before death. This suggests that difficulties in coping with stressful psychosocial problems are important in the course of the suicidal process. Only a small minority was receiving treatment for their disorders. CONCLUSIONS: Mental disorders, commonly untreated and combined with personality disorders and psychosocial problems, are frequently found in young suicide victims. This study suggests that education in the diagnosis and treatment of depression, adjustment disorders and suicide is important in the prevention of suicide.
BACKGROUND: The suicide rate among young males in Belgium has doubled over the last decade. As more knowledge about risk factors is required to develop national prevention strategies, we investigated adolescent suicides using the psychological autopsy method. METHODS: A total of 32 informants were interviewed regarding 19 suicide cases (aged 15-19). A semi-structured interview schedule, constructed by Houston et al. (J Affect Disord 63:159-170, 2001), was used. RESULTS: All adolescents were suffering from one or more mental disorder(s) at the time of their death, and almost half of them were diagnosed with personality disorders. Adjustment disorders were diagnosed in one fifth of the sample, which appears to be relevant in view of the multiple life events and other psychosocial problems which adolescents were facing shortly before death. This suggests that difficulties in coping with stressful psychosocial problems are important in the course of the suicidal process. Only a small minority was receiving treatment for their disorders. CONCLUSIONS:Mental disorders, commonly untreated and combined with personality disorders and psychosocial problems, are frequently found in young suicide victims. This study suggests that education in the diagnosis and treatment of depression, adjustment disorders and suicide is important in the prevention of suicide.
Authors: D A Brent; B A Johnson; J Perper; J Connolly; J Bridge; S Bartle; C Rather Journal: J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 1994-10 Impact factor: 8.829
Authors: Natalie Mota; Brenda Elias; Bruce Tefft; Maria Medved; Garry Munro; Jitender Sareen Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-01-19 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Kendon J Conrad; Nikolaus Bezruczko; Ya-Fen Chan; Barth Riley; Guy Diamond; Michael L Dennis Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2009-09-12 Impact factor: 4.492