Inward-Focused Emotions: Suicide & Substance-Related Disorders

Vocabulary flashcards covering major terms and concepts related to suicide, its assessment and prevention, as well as substance-related disorders, addiction stages, treatments, and nursing interventions.

Suicide

The intentional act of ending one’s own life.

Direct self-destructive behaviors

Active suicidal actions taken to end life.

Indirect self-destructive behaviors

Behaviors that may harm well-being or lead to death without an overt intent to die.

Self-injuries

Deliberate attempts to physically harm oneself.

Myths about suicide

Common misconceptions that hinder understanding and prevention of suicide.

WHO suicide statistic

An estimated 1 million people die by suicide globally each year.

10th leading cause of death (U.S.)

Suicide ranks tenth among causes of death in the United States.

Cultural factors in suicide

Differing cultural, religious, and customary views that shape attitudes toward suicide.

Social risk factors for suicide

Influences such as unmet basic needs, weapon access, health status, disasters, violence, and combat experience.

Rational suicide

A deliberate, seemingly logical decision to end one’s life.

Physical dimension of suicide

Bodily conditions or illnesses influencing suicidal behavior.

Emotional dimension of suicide

Feelings such as hopelessness and distress that drive suicidal thoughts.

Intellectual dimension of suicide

Thought processes and perceptions related to suicide.

Social dimension of suicide

Interpersonal relationships and social supports affecting suicide risk.

Spiritual dimension of suicide

Religious or existential beliefs impacting decisions about life and death.

Cry for help

Suicidal behavior motivated by a desire to attract attention and assistance.

Suicidology

The scientific study of the nature, causes, and prevention of suicide.

Psychoanalytic theory (suicide)

Views suicide as aggression turned inward toward the self.

Sociologic theory (suicide)

Explores social structures and integration levels as determinants of suicide.

Interpersonal theory (suicide)

Posits that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness lead to suicidal desire.

Neurotransmitter imbalance

Chemical dysregulation (e.g., serotonin) linked to mood disorders and suicidal behavior.

Survivor guilt

Feelings of guilt and anger experienced by those left after a suicide.

Child suicide

Impulsive self-harm often triggered by family conflict or disruption.

Adolescent suicide

Second leading cause of death in 10-34-year-olds; influenced by depression, impulse control, and social factors.

Adult suicide

Often related to coping difficulties, loneliness, and relationship or occupational stress.

Older-adult suicide

Higher incidence with age; passive methods such as refusal of care may occur.

Risk factors (older adults)

Advanced age, male gender, low income, chronic pain, illness, and fear of dependency.

Suicidal ideation

Thoughts about ending one’s life.

Suicidal threats

Verbal or written statements indicating intent to die.

Suicidal gestures

Superficial or symbolic actions that suggest suicidal intent.

Parasuicidal behaviors

Acts of self-harm without intent to cause death.

Suicide attempts

Actual efforts to end life that may or may not result in death.

Completed suicide

A suicidal act that results in death.

Suicide assessment

Evaluation of ideation, past attempts, plan, means, substance use, despair, and self-control.

No self-harm contract

Written or verbal agreement by a patient to refrain from self-injury.

Substance

Any drug, medication, or toxin used to induce pleasure or alter perception.

Substance use

Ingestion of a chemical that affects the body.

Abused substance

Chemical that alters perception by affecting the central nervous system.

Substance (drug) abuse

Excessive use of a substance contrary to societal norms, leading to problems.

Habituation

Dependence on a substance for pleasure or relief.

Substance dependency

Need for usual doses to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Abstinence

Not using an addictive substance.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)

Birth defects resulting from maternal alcohol use during pregnancy.

Binge drinking

Consumption of 4 drinks (women) or 5 drinks (men) within 2 hours.

Delirium tremens (DTs)

Severe alcohol withdrawal characterized by confusion, tremors, and autonomic instability; a medical emergency.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

A potent hallucinogen affecting perception and mood.

Phencyclidine (PCP)

A dissociative hallucinogen known for unpredictable, violent behavior.

Rohypnol

A sedative often misused as a ‘date-rape’ drug; flunitrazepam.

Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

CNS depressant used recreationally and as a ‘date-rape’ drug.

Stages of addiction

Progression through early, middle (crucial), and chronic (late) phases.

Detoxification

Medically supervised withdrawal from an addictive substance.

Methadone

Synthetic opioid used to treat heroin or opioid dependence.

Antabuse (disulfiram)

Medication causing adverse reactions with alcohol to deter drinking.

Relapse

Return to substance-using behaviors after a period of abstinence.

12-step program

Mutual-support recovery model exemplified by Alcoholics Anonymous.

Therapeutic nursing process

Use of active listening, non-judgmental attitude, and rapport to aid recovery.