Suicide in Adolescence: Attempt vs. Completed

A Complex Reality in Adolescence

It is important to differentiate two aspects of suicidal behavior, which are the suicide attempt and the completed suicide, since they present very different characteristics.

In their process of self-discovery, it is common for adolescents to feel inadequate or to feel that they do not belong anywhere.

At some point during this difficult stage, many may think about the idea of not existing or of wanting to disappear from the world.

However, when this thought stops being something temporary and becomes a constant idea, that is when we must take action.

Suicidal thoughts are a powerful means that sometimes make it possible to endure a bad night, but they require intervention and support.

Completed Suicide: Planning and Lethality

Completed suicide, which is when the person actually ends their life, tends to be a much more common action in men.

This act is usually associated with episodes of depression, alcoholism, or much more severe disorders such as schizophrenia.

It is characterized by very careful planning, in which the person evaluates all possible scenarios and possibilities to ensure the outcome.

The person tends to use elements and methods that allow for immediate death, and tries to ensure that no one discovers them so that the possibility of rescue is very low.

Suicide Attempt: Impulsiveness and a Call for Attention

Suicide attempts, which are acts that do not result in death, tend to be, on the other hand, much more common in women.

Often, this idea of death is a way to get attention, or a way to compensate for a situation of deep emotional pain.

With the attempt, the person often wants to see how much value another person adds to their life, seeking a reaction from their environment.

This act tends to be much more impulsive, disorganized, and without as much careful planning as that seen in completed suicide.

It is often associated with personality disorders, in addition to depr