Suicide in Adolescents

Suicide is a common psychiatric problem which occurs in the treatment of patients of all ages. The literature is quite extensive as far as the problems of suicide in the adult are concerned. It is much less elaborate in the case of the young.

Bender and Schilder feel that the child attempts suicide as one of the possible reactions against deprivation of love. The child may hope that after its suicidal attempt has been thwarted it will be given the love it had been denied. If the child has identified with a dead person in whom it had an important emotional investment (especially the parent), then the wish for a happy reunion with the dead may be another significant motive for suicide. In as much as suicide may be a means of punishing the environment it also includes the element of spite and revenge. Other dynamic features include the existence of aggressive tendencies toward those who deny love, and the turning of these tendencies against oneself under the influence of guilt feelings.

A perusal of the literature discloses only Freud's description and analysis of a suicidal attempt in an 18 year old girl. The following four cases of suicidal attempts in adolescents seem, therefore, to merit presentation. (Cases No. 1 and 2 were seen at the Psychiatric Clinic, New York City Magistrates' Courts, while cases No. 3 and 4 are from private practice.)

Case No. 1. Diabetes mellitus was discovered in Jane when she was 5 years old. She was told at the age of 8 that she would have to take insulin and adhere to a diet for the rest of her life. Following this announcement the child changed. The mother had to force her mouth open in order to feed her, and she would keep the food in her mouth refusing to swallow it. On other occasions after having taken insulin, she would refuse to eat saying: “I won't eat, so I'll die.” She was given to outbursts of temper, became impatient and abusive with her parents. Her behavior became worse in high school, she had tantrums and truanted. She frequ