Chapter 9 - Suicide

How is suicide described?

A self-inflicted death when a person acts intentionally, directly, and consciously

Who are the four kinds of people who intentionally end their lives?

• death seeker

• death initiators

• death ignorers

• death darers

What are the other two suicide categories?

• subintentional death —> when people play an indirect, covert, partial, or unconscious role in their own deaths

• nonsuicidal self injury (NSSI) —> direct and deliberate destruction of one’s own body tissue that is not accompanied by an intent to die

How is suicide primarily studied?

retrospective analysis: when clinicians piece together information about a person’s suicide from the person’s past

What are some ways that suicide rates differ on?

• nationality

• gender

• relationship status

• sexual orientation

• race and ethnicity

What are examples of stressful events and situations that precipitate suicide?

• combat stress

• social isolation

• serious illness or injury

• abusive or oppressive environment

• occupational stress

What is the most common mood change that precede suicide?

an increase in sadness

What is the most important indication of suicide?

hopelessness

What is dichotomous thinking and how does it play a role in suicide?

only thinking about something one way or another; no way to get through problems and a feeling of being burdened with no way out

What role does alcohol or other drug use have in suicide rates?

increases suicide rates (seven times greater among those who engage in extended drug use)

Individuals with what disorder have some of the highest risk for suicide?

• depressive disorders

• bipolar disorders

• substance use disorders

• schizophrenia

What is modeling when it comes to suicide?

one suicidal act can serve as a model for other suicidal acts

Do men or women attempt suicide more? Do men or women die more from suicide?

• attempt: two times as many women

• die: four times as many men

What is the interpersonal view of suicide?

assumes that people will be inclined to pursue suicide if they hold two key interpersonal beliefs

• perceived burdensomeness

• thwarted belongingness

and at the same time, have

• a psychological capability to carry out suicide

What is the biological view of suicide?

genetic factors contribute to suicidal behavior

• low levels of serotonin

What is the relationship between suicide and age?

suicide rates increase with age

How does suicide present itself among children?

suicide is infrequent among children —> increasing over the past several decades

• often preceded by specific behavioral patterns

• may be linked to specific environmental factors

How does suicide present itself in adolescents?

suicide become more common among people starting at the age of 13

• adolescents are more reactive, impulsive, and suggestible

How does suicide present itself in older adults?

when people get older, they become ill, lose close friends and relatives, lose control over their lives, and lose status in society

• results in feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, depression, and burdensomeness

What are the two categories that the treatment of suicidal people fall into?

• treatment after suicide has been attempted

• suicide prevention

What is the number one indicator of future behavior?

past behavior

What is an issue with medical care after someone tries to attempt suicide?

they fail to receive systematic follow-up care

Crisis intervention

a program that tries to identify people who are at risk of killing themselves

• tries to help people in a psychological crisis to view their situation more accurately, make better decisions, act more constructively, and overcome the crisis

• ex. 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, and TrevorLifeLine

What age group is at the greatest risk for suicide?

45-64