ABSTRACT
Suicide attempts are practically unknown in childhood, and yet they occur with tragic regularity after puberty. Many suicide attempts seem to be caused by factors other than depression, and the attack on the body may relate to conflicts over sexual rivalry and competition. Anger and aggression exist in all human beings, though these may remain buried, as in some passive, quiet children who may give an impression of meekness and gentility. A possible outcome is, therefore, the attempted self-destruction by the adolescent of his own body, it is as if his body is held responsible for his unbearable thoughts or his guilt feelings, or for the physical sensations that he experiences. The extent of guilt that exists is never easy to assess in any individual, but the breaking-point may be much closer in vulnerable young people than may seem to be the case at first glance.
