title: Self-destructive behaviour in adolescents.
abstract: Parasuicides continue to be an important public health responsibility. The consensus of opinion of most research workers is that the previously observed high rates are increasing on an international scale. Generally tabulated figures are minimal, representing an underestimation of actual rates, and exclude an unknown proportion of events classed incorrectly, although such studies nevertheless give some comprehension of the nature and severity of the problem. A 1978 study of parasuicides in young patients seen in the Department of Psychiatry, Addington Hospital, Durban, is updated for the period 1 January - 31 December 1983. The overall patient attendance figure for this period was 10 984, while a total of 3 200 requests for consultations were received. Of these 567 were for patients referred because of parasuicides--17,7% of all consultations referred. Nearly one-third (29%) of the parasuicides were in young patients, i.e. of 19 years old and younger, which represents a notable increase for the next 5 years when compared with the 1978 study in which 25% of parasuicides were in patients in this age range. There were more girls than boys. Peak months were October and November. A number of patients had a history of earlier parasuicides, suicidal thoughts and psychological treatment or came from a family with a history of mental disorder or previous parasuicides. Ten per cent of patients had a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Self-poisoning with analgesics, benzodiazepines and antidepressants was the most common method used. Results are discussed within the context of a service in medical psychology in a general hospital.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013019:South Africa; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000453:epidemiology*