Adolescent suicide: prevention and treatment of psychiatric causes.
There has been a dramatic increase in suicide among adolescent males in the last 20 years. White males are at the highest risk. For this group, suicide is the second most common cause of death. Because of the gravity of the problem, much interest has developed in the causes and means of preventing suicide. Precipitating causes include getting in trouble and disturbances in the peer and family relationship. These are common occurrences for all adolescents. Investigations following death show that the majority of those that complete suicide had psychiatric diagnoses. The most common diagnoses are depression, substance abuse, and conduct disorder. The assessment and treatment of these disorders is discussed.
Schexnayder
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DA
Tulane Medical School, New Orleans.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D044469:Racial Groups; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000092864:Suicide Prevention