Those who read the novel of Mark Twain "Tom Sawyer" probably remember how the main character dreamed of his death, quarreling with his aunt. He clearly imagined how upset she would be and for the rest of her life blame herself for the death of such a "good boy." In the psychology of suicidal behavior, this behavior is regarded as a dual attitude toward death and being. Usually the teenager perceives the death, as a way of influence on adults and does not realize irreversibility of consequences.
Suicidal behavior of children is relevant in our time. Parents and educators should pay special attention to the behavior of the adolescent in time to identify the first signs of suicidal mood.
Signs of suicidal behavior
Suicidal behavior of a teenager may include:
- thoughts about the meaninglessness of life;
- fantasy of death;
- statements about the desire to die ("I'm sick of everything", "I do not want to live");
- the teenager's increased interest in the themes of death (books, forums and social networks, informal organizations cultivating suicidal tendencies).
Most often, adolescents want to demonstrate suicidal behavior in order to attract attention. The emergence of suicidal behavior may be preceded by depressive states characterized by a bad mood, a sense of boredom and loneliness, fixation of attention on small things, closeness, aggression towards adults, alcohol and drug abuse. Such behavior entails a true suicide , which is never spontaneous. Other types of suicidal behavior include hidden suicide , in which the adolescent chooses "suicidal behavior": entering dangerous groups, risky driving, dangerous sports, drugs. Most often, adolescents are inclined to demonstrative suicide , in which a suicidal act acts as a dialogue, with the help of which the teenager wants to speak and be understood.
Causes of suicidal behavior
- Affect the significant in the life of a teenager person. It is more often to resolve a love conflict (to make someone who has offended repent, get someone to take notice of someone who likes it, etc.).
- Allow conflict with parents. Very often authoritarian style of upbringing, where adolescents are presented with peremptory demands, leads to conflict and further to the idea of suicide. Also, too pathetic style of education can push a teenager to the idea of suicide so that the parents pay attention to him.
- Misunderstanding at school. Adolescents who have poor academic performance come into conflict with teachers and administrators. The adolescent is governed by the need for self-esteem, in a positive evaluation, in communication, the lack of which can cause the desire to die.
Risk factors for suicidal behavior
Not all teenagers are prone to suicidal behavior, and the majority of those who are inclined can be attributed to various risk groups.
- teenagers who had a previous unfinished attempt at suicide;
- adolescents who had cases of suicide in the family;
- alcohol abuse and drug addiction;
- adolescents with affective disorders and depression;
- adolescents with severe or chronic diseases;
- Teenagers who survived the loss of a close or significant person;
- teenagers, survivors of violence;
- teenagers from disadvantaged and single-parent families.
Methods for overcoming suicidal behavior
Adolescence is characterized by a complete rejection of the help of parents, educators and professionals. At the same time, the diagnosis of suicidal behavior of adolescents has