The contagion of suicidal behavior in adolescents: A case report

• Main Authors: Selma Cilem Kizilpinar, Burcin Colak, Bedriye Öncü
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: ANP Publishing 2019-10-01
• Series: Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi
• Subjects: Suicidal behavior; Suicidal contagion; Adolesence; Media effect
• Online Access: https://www.journalagent.com/kpd/pdfs/KPD_22_3_364_368.pdf

Many risk factors have been identified for suicidal behaviors however suicidal contagion and suicide clustering phenomenon have been focused only in recent years. Suicidal contagion has been defined as ‘Werther effect’ which refers to the suicidal attempts of young individuals after exposure to suicides of famous people. Suicide cluster means an unexpected increase in suicidal behaviours at certain periods in certain regions. The suicide of a close friend or exposure to suicide-related contents in the media can be a precipitating factor for suicidal behavior particularly in adolescents and vulnerable individuals. In this case report, an adolescent who attempted suicide 3 weeks after her friend's suicide, will be discussed and the literature related to the suicide contagion and clustering will be reviewed. 19-year-old female patient was admitted to our clinic with complaints of unhappiness, unwillingness, sleep and appetite problems. Her complaints started aproximately 1 month ago after having relational problems with her boyfriend. When she was under treatment in our clinic, her close friend committed suicide. She attempted suicide about 1 month later after the suicide of her friend. Although she had some suicidal risk factors such as the presence of depressive symptoms, history of suicide attempts, she never enounced suicidal ideation in previous sessions. The suicide of her friend was considered as an an important trigger for her suicidal attempt. The aim of this case report is to raise awareness about suicide contagion and to discuss the precautions.