580-d-9. Suicidality in Adolescents. Health, Medicine, Nursing Essay

Suicidality in Adolescents
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 Suicidality in Adolescents
Pathophysiology: Suicidality is believed to result from an interplay between economic, social, and psychological influencers. It is believed that inadequate levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are associated with suicidality. Additionally, other factors that lead to suicidality include depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and schizophrenia. Suicidality can also result from lower levels of serotonin breakdown in the cerebral spinal fluid (Nugent, Ballard, Park, & Zarate Jr, 2019).
Epidemiology: In the United States, suicide is reported as the leading cause of death, with more than 47,000 deaths recorded in 2017. It is estimated that 129 people die from suicidality each day. Also, suicidality affects more male compared to female. The incidence of suicide is dependent on various factors, but most cases result from substance abuse, depression, and other mental illnesses (Clayton, 2019).
Physical Exam Findings: The physical exam aims to establish an individual’s level of distress. A suicidal individual is usually preoccupied with death or violence and feels that he or she is trapped in a hopeless situation. Another finding from the physical exam is drug and substance abus...