Suicide Behavior Disorder: A Retrospective Study Supporting DSM-5 in Adolescents

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical data of adolescents who attempted suicide, including comorbidities.

183 adolescents aged 12-18 years with suicide attempt consulted from inpatient and emergency departments of the hospital and evaluated by child and adolescent psychiatry department between March 2019 and March 2023 were included in this study by retrospective review of hospital records. Age, gender, suicide method, DSM-5 diagnoses, previous psychiatric history, and attendance to follow-up examination were recorded.

The mean age of adolescents who attempted suicide was 15.09±1.57, 154 were female and 29 were male. Adjustment disorder was the most common DSM-5 diagnosis (22.4%). The majority of the cases, 49.7%, did not have any DSM-5 diagnosis.

The fact that no diagnosis was detected in almost half of the patients in our study supports that it can be considered as a separate diagnosis as suggested by DSM-5.