Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Suicide: A Narrative Review

Overview

Journal J Clin Med

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2024 Mar 28

PMID 38541853

Authors

Antonella Gagliano

Carola Costanza

Irene Di Modica

Sara Carucci

Federica Donno

Eva Germano

Costanza Scaffidi Abbate

Michele Roccella

Luigi Vetri

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Specific risk factors for self-harm and suicide in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) may differ from those in the general population within this age range. In the present review paper, we conducted a narrative analysis of the literature, aiming to establish a connection between suicide and affective disorders in children and adolescents with NDD. Emotion dysregulation (ED) as an individual factor and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) as environmental factors are discussed as risk factors for suicidality in all individuals with NDD. We propose a theoretical model in which ED and ACE can directly lead to self-harm or suicide, directly or indirectly by interacting with depressive spectrum disorders. Additionally, we suggest that specific risk factors are more frequently associated with each of the neurodevelopmental disorders listed in the DSM-V. This review underlines the key points useful to improve the knowledge of the trajectory leading to suicide risk in NDDs with the purpose to facilitate the early identification of the suicide risk.

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