Adjustment Disorder and the Course of the Suicidal Process in Adolescents

The association of adjustment disorders (with depressed mood) & suicide in adolescents was investigated by means of a psychological autopsy study. Relatives & other informants of 19 Belgian suicide victims were interviewed. Differences in the duration of the suicidal process between suicide victims diagnosed with adjustment disorder & suicide cases diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders were examined. The suicidal process was signficantly shorter in suicide victims diagnosed with adjustment disorder. No indications of a history of emotional or behavioural problems during early adolescence were found in suicide cases diagnosed with adjustment disorder. (21 refs.) JA