Suicide Among Teens
By: Hak Ty
Suicide is one of the top three causes of death among teenagers. But there has been no sound theory that will explain why teenagers take their own lives. A person cannot predict, with 100% accuracy, if a teen will commit suicide. What psychologists have come up with are risk factors. The presence of these risk factors increases the probability of teenage suicide. The five major risk factors are depression, substance abuse, behavioral problems, availability of a gun, and previous suicide attempts.
Depression among teens are either not recognized or ignored. But, to identify depression here are some signs. First, there is a change in appetite. Second, there is a change in sleep pattern. Third, there is a loss of interest in activities in which the teen usually finds pleasure. Fourth is social withdrawal. And fifth, recurrent thoughts of death or life-threatening punishment. If any of these five signs last for more than a week, then the parent or guardian must take steps to help the teen fight depression.
Substance abuse involves the use of alcohol or drugs. To cope with depression, a teenager may resort to using drugs or drinking alcohol. But many illegal drugs are depressants themselves. Instead of relieving the depression, the drugs add feelings of sorrow and gloom. Drugs and alcoholic drinks also lower a person’s inhibitions. That is, a person who is high with drugs or drunk will dare to do impulsive and injurious things, such as slitting one’s wrist. If sober, he will never even think of doing such things.
A behavioral problem, such as fighting with parents and getting in trouble in school or with the law, is a major risk factor. Many people wrongly assume that teens who are sensitive and shy are the ones who are prone to suicide. In reality, the arrogant and obnoxious teenager is more prone to self destruction. He may seem to keep the world away in order to protect himself, but his greatest enemy is own lonely and depressed self. Unlike the shy ones, the obnoxious teen can come up with the “guts” to take away his own life.
Surveys show that a gun in the house increases the likelihood of suicide by five times. The availability of the gun just makes it easier and quicker for a teenager to take away his life. Without a gun, a teenager who has decided to end his life will have to think of how to carry out his decision. The time that elapsed may give the teen life-saving second thoughts.
Fifty percent of children who once attempted suicide will make another one. Their suicide attempt is not a drastic way to get attention. The suicide is their way of telling people that they are undergoing extreme distress. And the source of that distress may still be around.
Other risk factors of teen suicide are traumatic events, rejection and academic failure.
published by http://www.hotfact.com you can read more about the different types of depression here.