Related Experiment Videos
Anxiety disorders in suicidal youth
J Strauss1, B Birmaher, J Bridge
1Division of Child Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA. straussj@msx.upmc.edu
Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie
|November 22, 2000
Summary
Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents are not straightforwardly linked to suicidal ideation or attempts. While separation anxiety disorder was less common in younger attempters, generalized anxiety disorder was more prevalent in older ideators.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Mental Health Research
- Suicidology
Background:
- Anxiety disorders are common in children and adolescents.
- Suicidal ideation and attempts are significant concerns in this population.
- The relationship between anxiety disorders and suicidality requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between anxiety disorders and suicidal ideation/attempts in a referred child and adolescent sample.
- To determine if specific anxiety disorders are risk factors for suicidality.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 1979 patients aged 5-19 years was assessed using the K-SADS-P.
- Patients were categorized into nonsuicidal, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt groups.
- Logistic regression controlled for demographic factors and comorbidities.
Main Results:
- No general association was found between anxiety disorders and suicidality across all age groups.
- Younger children (<15 years) who attempted suicide had lower rates of separation anxiety disorder.
- Older children (>15 years) with suicidal ideation showed higher rates of generalized anxiety disorder.
Conclusions:
- The link between pediatric anxiety disorders and suicidality is complex and not uniform.
- Further research in non-referred populations is necessary to confirm these findings.
- Age-specific relationships between anxiety disorders and suicidal behaviors may exist.