Psychiatric Comorbidity in Adolescents with Attempted Suicide Attending a Tertiary Care Center in South India: A Cross-Sectional Study
Author(s): Ameena C Hanna*, Anil Kumar TV and Anju Mathew
Abstract
Background: Suicide is one of the most important issues related to mental health. Among adolescents, the ratio of attempted suicides to completed suicides is estimated to be up to 50:1 to 100:1. This study was primarily aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity among children and adolescents with suicide attempts. Subjects and Methods: Fifty patients attending suicide prevention clinic were evaluated. Psychiatric comorbidity and suicidality were assessed using MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI KID 6.0) and resilience using Brief Resilience Scale (BRS). Results: Prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity was fifty four percent (54%). Twenty-three (46%) were identified with one psychiatric comorbidity while 4 (8%) had more than one identifiable psychiatric comorbidity. Adjustment disorder (22%) was identified as the most common psychiatric disorder followed by major depressive disorder (10%) and oppositional defiant disorder (10%). Family history of suicide or suicide attempt was significantly associated with presence of psychiatric morbidity in children and adolescent with suicide attempt Suicidality risk was found moderate in 60% of participants, low risk in 32% and high risk in 8% of study population. The level of resilience was found to be low in about 60 % of study participants. Conclusion: Significant proportion of adolescent suicide attempters had a psychiatric comorbidity and needs to be addressed. Adolescents with suicide attempt needs special attention and management.