Suicide

Basic Information

Suicide, the act of intentionally taking one's own life, is the ninth leading cause of death in the U.S. Suicide is ranked among the top 10 causes of death in persons age 65 and older. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youths 15 to 24 years old and the sixth leading cause of death for youngsters 5 to 14 years old. The rate of teenage males committing suicide has more than doubled in the past 20 years. Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, and self-doubt. There may also be pressures to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. In addition, divorce or the formation of a new family with stepparents and stepsiblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and intensify self-doubts.

Male suicide rates exceed those for women at all ages, reaching the highest levels in men 75 years of age and older. In 90% of cases relating to suicide, there are associated conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorders, and alcohol dependence. Often a person considering suicide feels a sense of complete hopelessness, helplessness, grief, and loss. Secondary causes for committing suicide are the death of a loved one and financial problems.

The most common methods used to commit suicide are poisoning (overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol) and inhaling car exhaust fumes. Although women attempt suicide three to four times more often than men do, men are more successful because they use more violent methods. The risk factors for committing suicide include previous attempted suicide, live alone, never been married or divorced or widowed, chronic pain or a terminal illness, alcoholics or drug abusers, family history of suicide, depression, little or no social support, and unemployed.

Symptoms

If a person ever says that they are planning to commit suicide, take the person seriously. It is a myth that only those who fake or attempt suicide just to get attention leave significant clues. The clues from a person planning to commit suicide may be a call for help. A person considering suicide may:

communicate the intent to commit suicide
talk about wanting to die or being better off dead
visit the doctor within a few months
write a will
act depressed (sad, crying)
drink alcohol excessively or use drugs
write a suicide note
give away beloved personal items
seem preoccupied with themes of death
show unusual neglect of appearance
exhibit noticeable changes in eating or sleeping habits,
withdraw from family and friends
have an unexplained decline in the quality of schoolwork
show sudden changes in behavior (moody, irritable, violent, rebellious, or withdrawn)
complain of headaches, stomachaches, or other psychosomatic complaints
select a method and a place to commit suicide.

Diagnosis/Treatment

Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. A person, especially a child or adolescent, needs to have this illness recognized to obtain help to develop an appropriate treatment plan. If the parents are doubtful about their child's condition, then consult with a mental health care professional. Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression. Parents need to be aware of the situation. It can be helpful to ask the child or adolescent about feeling depressed or thinking about suicide. With support from family and professional treatment, children and teenagers who are suicidal can be helped.

Suicide is preventable in almost all cases. The person probably does not want to die but rather feels lonely and needs an understanding, sympathetic listener. Suicide hot lines were created to meet this need. Asking the person about suicidal thoughts does not the idea into their head. Rather, it can be a relief for the person considering suicide to talk about it. If a person gives any suicidal clues, consult a psychiatrist or family doctor immediately. It is important to realize that in most cases the person is ill. Hospitalization may be necessary until the risk of committing suicide has passed. Almost 20% to 30% of people, who attempt suicide unsuccessfully, will try it again within the next year.

Additional Resource(s):

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is an organization of people and families with severe mental illness. There are 140,000 members in 1,100 affiliate groups in NAMI across the country. The people in these groups provide support, education, and advocacy to improve the lives of people with schizophrenia, manic-depression, clinical depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and severe childhood disorders. NAMI's toll-free helpline number is 800/950-NAMI, or 800/950-6264.
Pamphlets by American Association of Suicidology
Suicide and how to prevent it.
Before it's too late: what to do when someone you know attempts suicide.
Suicide in young people.
Slaby AE, Garfinkel LF. No One Saw My Pain: Why Teens Kill Themselves. New York: Norton 1994.