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An attempt of lethal self-harm in a 7-year-old child
Sharanya Vijayakumar1, Smitha Ramadas2
1 Former Senior Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India
2 Additional Professor, Department of Psychiatry, Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Correspondence Address:
Smitha Ramadas,
Sayujyam, Kottekad Road, Viyyur P. O., Thrissur - 680 010, Kerala
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None DOI: 10.4103/amh.amh_71_22
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Suicidal behavior in young children is inadequately studied due to methodological limitations, although there is an increasing trend of suicidal behavior among youngsters. Here, we report the case of a lethal act of self-harm by a 7-year-old child. On evaluation, the child was detected to have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder. He attempted hanging after a trivial altercation with mother and was nearly strangulated. He had learned the method from visual media and did the act impulsively. There was history of suicides in the family. Pharmacological and psychosocial interventions were done and the child was followed up for almost 1 year. There was good resolution of the symptoms and the family interaction pattern improved. This case highlights that, suicide threats even in very young children need to be urgently and sensitively handled, from a biopsychosocial perspective. The media influence on suicide on young children needs to be addressed urgently.
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