suicide

suicide

purposeful taking one's own life

not classified as a DSM diagnosis

suicidal ideation

thinking about suicide, where/how to do it, thoughts- maybe world would be better without me

sub-intentional death

indirect, unconscious taking actions to end your life

proposed DSM

suicidal behavior disorder & non-suicidal self-injury

nonsuicidal self-injury

hurting your self in ways that won't result in death, express pain & suffering

studying suicide

retrospective analysis- study past suicides, helpful info if they are no longer there (pro & con), but they are not there to explain

study survivors of suicide attempts: people are different after, grateful they are alive

stats

one of leading death causes in the world

vary by countries

women more likely to attempt, but men more likely to actually kill themselves

children less likely

common in older people- diseases, not wanting to suffer anymore

media & suicide

pro-suicide websites

live-streaming suicides

Shneidman

People have different motivations of death

•Death seekers

•Death initiators

•Death ignorers

•Death darers

Death Seekers

Clearly and explicitly seek to end their life.

Example: person who actively decides, plans and executes the plan with no likelihood of rescue

Death Initiators

Believe they're hastening inevitable death, cut time & pain of death

Example: someone with a terminal illness whowants to avoid suffering through it

Death Ignorers

Intend to end their life, as distinct from ending their existence (they will go to afterlife).

Example: members of the comet cult who believed they were going to a better place by mass suicide

Death Darers

uncertain about dying, take risks that defy death, increasing their likelihood of dying.

Example: person who repeatedly goes over Niagara Falls in a barrel

Biological Factors

Genetics

Disordered genes increase risk for suicide

Neurotransmitters:

Deficiencies in serotonin lead to impulsive, violent and suicidal behavior

Impulsivity

•May have biological basis

•Low threshold for frustration - need "quick fix"

•Inadequate coping skills

Cognitive Theories

Hopelessness

•Dichotomous thinking- clear-cut thinking

•Narrowing of perspective- unclear thinking, no way out

Psychodynamic View

Depression and anger at others that is redirected toward self

•Introjecting lost person (Freud; Abraham): Anger over a lost loved one turns to self-hatred and then depression

•Later suicidal behaviors related to childhood losses or parental rejection (Freud)

•Death instincts/Thanatos (Freud)

•Research does not establish that suicidal people are dominated by intense anger.

Durkheim’s Sociocultural View

Suicide probability is determined by attachment to social groups such as family, religious institutions, and community.

•Suicide categories

•Egoistic: Isolated, alienated; nonreligious people

•Altruistic: Socially well-integrated people

•Anomic: Inhabitants of personally unstable social environment and structure

What Sets the Stage?

Biological vulnerability- diathesis-stress

Environmental stress- injustice, disease

Emotional pain- sad, hopeless

Impaired cognition- not thinking clearly, narrowing perspective

Inadequate coping- think there's no other option

Inadequate support- lack of closeness with friends, family