or failure. Researchers in the third field of study surrounding youth suicide concur that suicide is caused by depression however, they believe that this depression is the result of a biological disorder.Psychoanalysis is concerned with mental processes in the mind. According to most psychoanalytic theories, the problems in human behaviour are the result of psychiatric disorders or neuroses. Opposite to this theory is the scientists idea of neurobiology. Neurobiology is interested in how the actual physical processes of the brain influence the ways in which people think and act. Experts in this field contend that physical disorders of the brain underlie most psychiatric problems, including adolescent suicide.Scientists have located various neurotransmitters that are linked to different behaviour patterns. It is in the study of these neurotransmitters that scientists have begun to uncover a connection between human biology and suicide. In the early 1950s scientists discovered a connection between depression, suicidal tendencies and abnormal levels of the neurotransmitters called serotonin and norepinephrine.6 Anti-depressant drugs were dispensed to patients with increased levels of these neurotransmitters. Scientists noticed an improvement in the level of depression felt by patients after taking such medications. These same scientists linked serotonin with violent and aggressive behaviour. Because of its association with both depression and aggression, it was believed that the neurotransmitter was linked to suicidal thoughts. Serotonin in low levels was found to occur most commonly in suicidal individuals. It is therefore conclusive that in some individuals, biological explanations are feasible, and with proper intervention suicide can be prevented. However, it has been shown that not all suicidal patients have a lack in serotonin. Therefore it cannot be concluded that neurotransmitters are a sole cause of suicide among a...
