[Attempted suicide of youth with Asperger's disorder]

Research of Asperger's disorder is increasing through strong interest in this disorder. However, there are few reports on suicide attempts among youths with this disorder. We examined the clinical characteristics of serious suicide attempts of adolescents, and indicated the frequency of pervasive developmental disorders among them. In the present study, we reported a suicide attempt using briquettes by a youth with Asperger's disorder aged 23, who had a history of two suicide attempts by hanging. In this case, we examined the predisposing factors to suicide and possible intervention to prevent a re-attempt. As a result, in this case, we suggested that low self-esteem due to repeated serious social failures and feelings of isolation, although there was a social support system, were psycho-social predisposing factors. Moreover, the "conflict" between the patient and his parents, who should have provided social support for him, had made him feel alone. This "conflict" was composed of 1) the primary symptoms of Asperger's disorder (deficit of emotional reciprocity and unreasonable insistence on restricted thoughts.) and 2) his parents' insufficient comprehension of Asperger's disorder. This "conflict" was distinct from the conflict of interpersonal friction based on emotional interaction. In order to prevent a suicide re-attempt, we mainly intervened in the problem of low self-esteem due to repeated serious social failures and having feelings of isolation. We concluded that to prevent a suicide re-attempt in patients with Asperger's disorder, it is important to diagnose and treat the disorder and comorbidity, and it is more important to recognize and aggressively intervene in psycho-social predisposing factors.