PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Risk Factors
by RUCHI AHUJA Friday, Mar. 12, 2004 at 11:12 PM
ruchisjournal2003@yahoo.com C-2-C,12/80.Janak Puri ,New Delhi

Now that you're a parent, you might not remember how it felt to be a teen, caught in that gray area between childhood and adulthood. Sure, it's a time of great possibility but it can also be a period of great confusion and anxiety. There's pressure to fit in socially, to perform academically, and to act responsibly.

Risk Factors

There's the awakening of feelings, a growing self-identity, and a need for autonomy that often conflicts with the rules and expectations set by others. A teen with an adequate support network of friends, family, religious affiliations, peer groups, or extracurricular activities may have an outlet to deal with his everyday frustrations. A teen without an adequate support network, however, may feel disconnected and isolated from his family and peer group. It's these teens who are at increased risk for suicide.

Teens that are at increased risk for suicide include those who:

Face problems that are out of their control, such as divorce, alcoholism of a family member, or exposure to domestic violence

Have suffered physical or sexual abuse

Have poor relationships with their parents, lack a support network, are socially isolated, devalued, or rejected

Have a family history of depression or suicide. Because depressive illnesses may have a genetic component, some teens may be predisposed to suffer major depression.

Experience the feelings of helplessness and worthlessness that often accompany depression. A teen, for example, which experiences repeated failures at school, who is overwhelmed by violence at home, or who is isolated from peers, is likely to experience such feelings. If a teen sees him as inadequate and worthless and he believes the future is unchangeable, these are clear warning signs of possible trouble.

Are dealing with homosexual feelings in an unsupportive family or community or hostile school environment. Several studies have reported greater rates of suicide attempts among gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth than among their heterosexual peers.

Use alcohol or drugs in an attempt to numb their pain. Substance abuse is a major risk factor for suicide.

Express their feelings violently

Have had a previous suicide attempt

Warning Signs
Teens are most likely to consider suicide at certain times in their lives, particularly if they have suffered a loss or rejection. Failures at school, breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend, the death of a loved one, their parents' divorce - all of these risk factors can be triggers for dangerous behavior.

Seek professional help if your child experiences serious mood changes that last more than a couple of weeks. Don't wait. The American Psychiatric Association recommends seeking help if you’re teen:

Withdraws from friends and family

Shows an inability to concentrate

Sleeps too much or too little

Talks of suicide

Have dramatic changes in personal appearance

Loses interest in favorite activities

Expresses hopelessness, helplessness, or excessive guilt

Exhibits self-destructive behavior (such as reckless driving, drug abuse, or promiscuity)


Seems preoccupied with death
Bequeaths his favorite possessions

Seek professional help as soon as possible if your teen says he is thinking about suicide. Contrary to popular belief, people who talk about suicide are likely to follow through. Pay attention to phrases such as, "It's no use, I'd be better off dead." Also be suspicious if a child who has been very depressed suddenly becomes extremely cheerful or hopeful. This intense mood swing may indicate that he believes suicide will be a solution to all his problems.

THANKING YOU
RUCHI AHUJA

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