Alexa Ray Joel in Stable Condition after Suicide Attempt - update

Alexa Ray Joel in Stable Condition after Suicide Attempt

By Rachel Stockton

Alexa Ray Joel purportedly attempted suicide by swallowing an undetermined number of pills over the weekend.  Her roommate found her on Saturday afternoon, then placed a frantic 911 call for help.  She told the dispatcher that Joel was “emotionally disturbed” and that she wanted to end her life.  Officials, however, haven’t released any information regarding Joel’s intent at the time she ingested the medication.

Alexa Ray Joel is the only child of Billy Joel and former supermodel Christie Brinkley; the couple was married from 1985-1984.  Several media sources have confirmed with Joel’s friends that her parents’ rancorous and much publicized splits from their respective spouses in 2008 took an emotional toll on the girl.

Sources close to Joel also mention that she was devastated over a recent breakup; she has expressed her angst regarding the New York dating climate on her social networking sites.

Suicide:  When life Becomes Overwhelming

According to the New York Times Health Guide, suicidal behavior often follows events that the victim sees as overwhelming.  Alexa Ray Joel’s circumstances coupled with her attempt to take her own life make it a foregone conclusion that she viewed life as unmanageable.

Although some parents see suicidal attempts as a means to garner attention on the part of the teen, not taking such behavior seriously can have devastating consequences.  Professional help should be sought as soon as possible.

According to the most recent statistics, 1/3 of those who attempt suicide will try again within one year; 10 percent of those who threaten to take their own lives ultimately succeed. 

Several factors can exacerbate a person’s feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, such as a chemical dependency or an emotional disorder/mental illness. 

Symptoms

Many teenagers and young adults who are thinking about suicide will actually talk about it; however, this is not always the case.  Below are some red flags that may signal that a teenager or young adult is suicidal:

·         Loss of interest in activities that were previously enjoyable

·         Sudden decrease in school performance

·         Unusual changes in sleep or eating habits

·         Unusual irritability

·         Withdrawal from friends

Another risk factor that increases risk in teens and young adults is having a close family member commit suicide.  According to the New York Times, in these cases, the child or sibling of the victim share the same mental illness and/or personality disorder, along with a similar outlook on life with the family member who took their lives.