Citation

Polewka A, Bolechala F, Kolodziej J, Chrostek Maj J, Groszek B, Trela F, Forys Z. Przegl. Lek. 2005; 62(6): 422-426.

Affiliation

Department of Clinical Toxicology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Os. Zlotej Jesieni 1, 31-826 Krakow.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Przeglad Lekarski)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16225085

Abstract

The aim of the study was to present the increasingly alarming phenomenon of completed suicide in adolescents and young adults. The material analysed had been drawn from the records of post-mortem examinations conducted by the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Krakow. The analysis covered cases of completed suicide committed by 15-30 years old inhabitants of Krakow or its environs between the September 2002 and the September 2003. The group of subjects analysed comprised 47 individuals (9 females and 38 males); 57.4% of these had resided in a big city (Krakow), and the remaining 42.6%--in villages or little towns near Krak�³w. The data regarding cases of completed suicide were compared with the data regarding suicide attempts by self-intoxication in the period under consideration, extracted from the documentation of the Department of Clinical Toxicology in Krak�³w. The latter data encompassed 233 cases of suicide attempts by individuals ranging in age from 15 to 29 years, with females constituting 62.2% of these, and males--37.8%. 65% of the attempters had been residents of Krakow.The analysis of the data from the Institute of Forensic Medicine revealed that nearly half of the suicide victims concerned had been treated for mental disorders, mainly depression and addictive disorders. The occurrence of suicide attempts prior to the fatal act was established in the case of 17 subjects (18.5%). Over half of the subjects (48.9%) committed suicide by hanging themselves, 17%--by falling from a height, 8.6%--by drowning, and 19.1%--by self-intoxication with medicaments. 77.2% of the subjects committed suicide at home. In the case of 23 subjects (48.9%), the post-mortem examination revealed the presence of alcohol. The analysis of the cases of suicide attempts by self-intoxication revealed a significant percentage of depressive disorders (26%)--of high occurrence especially in the case of females, whereas alcohol addiction was the predominant diagnosis in the case of males. Furthermore, the majority of the attempters exhibited situational reactions or personality disorders. Suicide attempts constitute an essential part of the issue of suicide in adolescents and young adults and require further research. What attracts notice, is a high percentage of males among suicide victims, and a high percentage of suicide victims with earlier suicide attempts. The results of the study should be taken into consideration in suicide prevention in groups especially endangered by the risk of completed suicide, such as adolescents and young adults after suicide attempts.