Recognizing Warning Signs and Preventing Suicide: Symptoms of an Identity Crisis

Many parents are familiar with this statement, made by adolescents. "I don't know who I am!"

Recognizing warning signs and preventing suicide is important with respect to any adolescent, heading into an identity crisis. He or she may not know who he or she is any longer. There are also other symptoms indicating a pending identity crisis in an adolescent. These are first person statements that focus on me, myself and I.

In an identity crisis, there may be a sense of loss with regard to belonging to groups or in terms of being part of one's own family. The confused, distraught adolescent may state emphatically, "I don't fit in here. In fact, I don't even know where I belong anymore!"

At this time, the adolescent may not know where he or she is going in the future either, as there is no definite sense of direction. He or she has no firmly established goals. "I don't know where I am going in life!" the adolescent may cry out, but it may be only an inward cry that no one hears. It is a cry for help.

Be alert to the reality that any adolescent may be entering into or going through an identity crisis. He or she is struggling inwardly, in order to find him or herself. He or she needs to have a sense of self-identity and wants to know what his or her true identity is.

The adolescent's ego is fragile, at this time and he or she is vulnerable to suggestions from others. The adolescent is seeking direction, but unfortunately, it is not always positive, constructive direction, that he or she finds.  

Being aware that an adolescent might be heading into a full blown identity crisis that may lead to suicide is important.

"I don't know what to do," is a statement made by an adolescent who is seeking guidance.

Parents may perceive an early change in their adolescent. A parent who is  exasperated with a son or daughter becoming a teenager may say, "Who are you?" or "I don't know you any more." He or she may not recognize the reality that the adolescent is in a pending identity crisis situation.

As a parent, teacher or counselor, even as a friend, you can be instrumental in helping to avoid or avert a pending identity crisis and suicide in someone who you know and love, by being supportive of him or her.  Remember that patience, kindness and love will help an adolescent to identify him or herself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_crisis_(psychology)