Teen Suicide

Teen Suicide

Suicide is one of the principal causes of death in teens and continues to be a crisis in the US today. There are a lot of reasons for the current explosion of suicide among the young, but none is more important than the stress that kids go through today. A lot of factors have been blamed- everything almost from overpopulation and the breakdown of the family to increased pressure to excel and east access to firearms. It is the third leading cause of fatality from ages 15 -24 years of age and the sixth leading cause of fatality from ages 5-14 years of age according to the U.S centers for Disease control and Prevention. There are many factors that amplify the risk of a suicide being committed, and one of those is owning a firearm. It is said that a family that owns a firearm, and have it in your home, that you are five times more likely to have a suicide. Another thing that contributes to the number of suicides is the difference between the rates of the boys and the girls. Girls think about and endeavor suicide twice as often as boys do, and they attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves. Boys die by suicide about four times as much as girls because they tend to use more lethal weapons such as firearms, hanging themselves or jumping from heights. Half of all the children who have made one suicide attempt will make another, sometimes as many as two times a year until they succeed. The majority of suicide attempts is expressions of extreme distress and is not just harmless bids for attention. Others factors that may lead to suicide are a family history of depression or substance abuse and a recent traumatic event. Some children who take their own lives are certainly the opposite of the insubordinate teen. They are anxious, insecure kids who have a desperate desire to be liked, to fit in, and to do well. Their expectations are so high that they demand too much of themselves, so are condemned to invariable disappointment. Some factors that might increase the risk of suicide are: the presence of a psychological disorder, feelings of distress, irritability or agitation, feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, a previous suicide attempt, a family history of suicide or depression, physical abuse and/or sexual abuse, and poor relationships, and feelings of social isolation.

Teenagers are more at risk to commit suicide because they experience an immense deal of confusion and anxiety. There is pressure to fit in socially, to achieve academically, and to act responsibly, and there is also is a development of sexual feelings, and a growing self identity. 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 or her everyday frustrations. But many teens don't feel like they have that, and they feel disconnected and isolated from family and friends. These teens are at increased risk for suicide.

There are many warning signs that parents should know and they include change in eating and sleeping habits withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away, drug and alcohol use, unusual neglect of personal appearance, marked personality change, persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork, frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc. loss of interest in pleasurable activities not tolerating praise or rewards A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also complain of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside or giving verbal hints with statements such as: I wont be a problem for you much longer, nothing matters, its no use, and I wont see you again, put his or her affairs in order; for example give away important possessions, clean his or her room, and throw away important belongings. Most teens interviewed after making a suicide attempt say that they did it because they were trying to break away from a situation that seemed impracticable to deal with or to get liberation from really awful thoughts or feelings. They didn't want to die as much as they wanted to escape from what was going on. And at that particular moment dying seemed like the only way out. One clinical problem that arises that is frequently difficult to elicit is the child's intention to kill him/herself because they try to keep their feelings in.

Some people who end their lives or attempt suicide might be trying to escape feelings of rejection, hurt, or loss. Others might be angry, ashamed,

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