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Deliberate self-poisoning in adolescents
Matityahu Lifshitz1, Vladimir Gavrilov
1Toxicology Unit, Division of Pediatrics, Soroka University Medical Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. matyl@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
The Israel Medical Association Journal : IMAJ
|May 11, 2002
Summary
Adolescent self-poisoning, often by depressed females, is linked to family communication issues. Ingesting multiple drugs or non-medicinal substances indicates higher suicidal intent.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Adolescent Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Adolescent suicide rates are rising, with self-poisoning a common method.
- Understanding factors contributing to adolescent self-poisoning is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sociodemographic, educational, and clinical factors associated with adolescent self-poisoning.
- To identify indicators of serious suicidal intent in adolescent self-poisoning cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 324 adolescent self-poisoning cases (1990-1998).
- Data collected from medical records included sociodemographics, agent ingested, motivation, and suicidal intent.
- Clinical psychiatric evaluation was used to assess suicidal intent.
Main Results:
- The study included adolescents aged 12-18, with an 8:1 female to male ratio.
- Most cases involved oral ingestion of drugs (acetaminophen most common) or non-medicinal compounds (pesticides, household materials).
- Family communication deficits and transient depression were frequent motivations; polydrug/non-medicinal ingestion correlated with greater suicidal intent.
Conclusions:
- Adolescent self-poisoning is prevalent among depressed females in junior/high school, often linked to family dysfunction.
- Non-medicinal agents and polydrug ingestion are significant risk factors for serious suicidal intent.
- Interventions should address family communication and assess risk factors for severe intent.