Mental disorders, particularly mood disorders, are
directly related to an increased risk of suicide. The fact that the subject was on the
phone but no call was made may be an indication of a psychotic or dissociative
disorder. However, if the parents state that everything was normal, it is unlikely the
subject had been previously diagnosed with a mental disorder. Another leading cause of
suicide is substance abuse. This can easily be ruled out with an autopsy. Under the
assumption that the subject did not suffer from a mental disorder and does not use drugs
or alcohol, the suicide was triggered by a stressor. This individual decided to kill
himself and carried it out. Hanging is an intentional suicide method, as opposed to
overdosing or bleeding, which are usually methods used in "cries for help". An
individual who has planned suicide will usually display the following psychological
behaviors:
- loss of
appetite - change in sleeping patterns - insomnia or
hypersomnia - withdrawn, sad, or
irritable - no longer interested in activities that used to
be of interest - cutting off ties with friends and loved
ones - seeking
closure - preoccupation with
death - saying goodbye (not always
verbally) - bodily motions seem sluggish and
robotic - flat affect, no emotions shown in facial
expressions - unable to focus,
preoccupied
The phone may have been an attempt
to contact a loved one to say goodbye. It is also possible he picked up the phone and
forgot what he was doing. A person who is about to commit suicide is likely to imitate
normal behaviors, but it is superficial.
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