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Table 1 Risk factors for suicide among adolescents

From: Suicide in pediatrics: epidemiology, risk factors, warning signs and the role of the pediatrician in detecting them

Demographic

Clinical

Family and environmental

Mental State

- Male sex

- Psychiatric illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, conduct disorder)

- Particularly stressful events

- Thoughts on suicide

- Older age

- Recent discharge from a psychiatric hospital

- Availability of lethal means

- Abuse of alcohol or illegal substances

- Non heterosexual

- Previous attempted suicide

- Lack of social support

- State of anxiety, agitation, being without hope

 

- Family history of depression or suicide

- Contact with subjects with suicidal behaviors

- Impulsiveness

 

- Physical/sexual abuse

- Loss of a parent (death/divorce)

- Difficulty in troubleshooting

 

- History of trauma in childhood

- Difficult relationship with parents

 
 

- Sleep disorders

- Perception of excessive control/poor care by parents

 
 

- Organic pathologies that determine functional limitations

- Bullying

 
 

- Personality disorders

  
 

- Low self-esteem

  
 

- Low compliance to therapy

  
  1. Adapted from Gordon M, Melvin G. Risk assessment and initial management of suicidal adolescents. Aust Fam Physician. 2014;43(6):367-72