Psychiatric disorders in youth suicide and suicide attempters
This chapter reviews common psychiatric disorders and conditions which appear to be major risk factors for all types of suicidality, both non-fatal and fatal, among children and adolescents. Psychiatric illness remains the most well-defined risk factor for adolescent suicide and suicidality should be assessed in every young person suffering from a serious mental illness. These psychiatric conditions include personality disorders, conduct disorder, affective disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and eating disorders. Each psychiatric condition is described and discussed in terms of its unique features that are associated with suicidal behaviours and its risk for suicide behaviour.