Term
Schneidman's Definition of Suicide |
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Definition
Currently, in the western world, suicide is a conscious act of self-induced annihilation, best understood as a multidimensional malaise in a needful individual who defines an issue for which suicide is perceived as the best solution. |
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Term
Shneidman's 10 characteristics of Suicide |
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Definition
- Unedurable psychological pain
- Frustrated psychological needs
- Pupose—to find a solution. Long term solution to a short term problem
- Goal – cessation of suffering
- Hopelessness/helplessness
- Ambivalence
- Cognition is constricted
- Communication of intention
- Action – to escape
- Represents a lifelong coping pattern
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Term
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Definition
| Approx. 11 out of every 100,000 people commit suicide o 3rd leading cause of death for ages 15-24 o 11th leading cause of death overall - Highest: New Mexico: 19.8 - Lowest: New York: 6.6 o 3X more women attempt suicide o Men 4X more likely to succeed - Except in China: Women equally likely o Countries - Top Three: Hungary (by far), Finland, Austria - Lowest: Northern Ireland, Italy, England and Wale · Age differences o Risk highest in adolescence and “old-old” · Ethnic and racial diff. o European-Americans at highest risk o African-Americans at lowest o Also gender effect · Mental illness o More than 90% of people who commit suicide have a diagnosable mental disorder. |
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Term
Cultural issues in prevalence of suicide |
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Definition
· Leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds in Japan & Denmark · Very high rates in Sri Lanka o 35 in 100,000 o During 16-year civil war more people have killed themselves (80,000) than have been killed in combat (60,000) o Lack of mental health o “culture of suicide” o Easy access to poison |
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Term
Suicide: By the numbers (black and white) |
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Definition
· White males 20.1 · W females 5.3 · Black about half that for each gender 12 men 2.1 women per 100,000. |
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Term
Social Perspective on Suicide (5 reasons?) |
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Definition
· Economic hardship · Serious Illness · Loss & abuse · Durkheim’s theory · Suicide contagion |
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Term
Psychodynamic theories of suicide |
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Definition
suicide is the extreme expression of anger at the love object who has abandoned the person
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Term
Mental Disorders theory of suicide |
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Definition
several mental disorders increase risk for suicide, including depression, BPD, schizophrenia, substance abuse, anxiety disorders |
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Term
Impulsivity theory of suicide |
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Definition
people who commit suicide have a general tendency toward impulsive acts
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Term
Cognitive theories of suicide |
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Definition
hopelessness and dichotomous thinking increase the risk for suicide
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Term
Durkenheim's Theory (of suicide. 3 types) |
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Definition
- Egoistic Suicide: committed by people who feel alienated from others, empty of social contacts, and alone in unsupportive world
- Anomic Suicide:committed by people who experience severe disorientation because of a major change in their relationships to society
- Altruistic Suicide: committed by people who believe that taking their own lives with benefit society in some way
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Term
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Definition
when one member of a group commits suicide, other members are at increased risk. Perhaps because of "contagion effects" modeling increased acceptibility of suicide impace of traumatic events on already vulnerable ppl suicide cluster - two or more suicides are non-randomly bunched in space or time
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Term
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Definition
- Death seekers - clearly and explicitly seek to end their lives (these people prepare for death and, if confronted, are ambivalent about desire to die)
- Death initiators - have intention to kill self in order to hasten an inevitable death (ex-ppl with HIV)
- Death ignorers - intend to end their lives but do not believe this means the end of their existence. (ex-Heaven's Gate religious cult, suicide bombers)
- Death Darers - ambivalent about dying, and take actions to increase risk of death, but do not guarantee that they will die (like loading a gun with one bullett and seeing if they die. may want attention or to make someone else feel guilty more than they want to die)
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Term
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Definition
Shneider people who indirectly contribute to their own death, perhaps unconsciously someone who smokes cigs even after a heart attack
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Term
Biological theories of suicide (2) |
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Definition
genetic theory - disordered genes increase the risk for suicide neurotransmitter theory - deficiencies in serotonin lead to impulsive, violent, and suicidal behavior
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Term
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Definition
· Most often major depress40-60% o Alcohol 20% o Bipolar Disorder 20% o Schizophrenia 10% · Higher Risk associated with o Number of previous attempts o Hopelessness o Beginning treatment |
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Term
Recent Shifts in Suicide Rates |
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Definition
· Increase among men ages 15-34 o Narrows gap between younger & middle aged men · Increase among black men |
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Term
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Definition
| · Rate rose 300% between '64 and '88 · Every year: o 1 in 5 teenagers seriously consider suicide o Nearly 9% attempt o 3% make a serious attempt that requires medical attention · Risk Factors for suicide among teenagers o Depression o Interpersonal problems - Poor relationship with parents o Hopelessness o Substance abuse o Aggression: (Impulsivity-more likely to hurt themselves) o Suicide attempt by a friend (contagious) o Being gay or bisexual |
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Term
3 common myths about suicide |
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Definition
· People who talk about it don’t do it o Over half had communicated intent less than 3 months prior · They aren’t serious, they just want attention o Higher number of previous attempts is greater risk for completion · Talking about it will put the idea in their heads or strengthen the idea o Talking usually helps - Especially about plans (safety plans) |
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Term
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Definition
Crisis Intervention Suicide hot lines Counselor-short term treatment Voluntary/involuntary hospitalization
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Term
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Definition
#1 -Lithium (bad side effects) more recently - SSRI's (although some say they increase risk) for people with psychotic disorders, antipsychotics may help reduce risk of suicide
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Term
Suicide: Dialectical Behavior Therapy: |
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Definition
Cognitive-Behavioral: psychological treatment: - focuses on difficulties in managing negative emotions and in controlling impulsive behaviors
- techniques aimed at increasing problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, and skills in managing negative emotions
- often, spouses and family members are included in treatment
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Term
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Definition
"mercy killing" not legal in US, but not uncommon 20% or more doctors have assisted in suicide or hastened the death of a seriously ill patient
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