Suicide Chapter 7.

Suicide 1 of leading causes of death in the world –~1 million people each year –~36,000 suicides per year in the U.S. alone Investigators believe that estimates are often low –Many “accidents:” intentional deaths –Since suicide is frowned upon in our society, not acknowledged that loved ones have taken their own lives

Suicide Many more (600,000 in the U.S.) make unsuccessful attempts –Such attempts are called “parasuicides”

Suicide  Suicidal behavior disorder: if they have tried to kill themselves within the last 2 years, even if they changed their mind after initiating the attempt or if the attempt was interrupted  Not surprising that majority of suicide attempters also display another psychological disorder, such as major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, or alcohol use disorder

What Is Suicide? Shneidman defines suicide as an intentioned death – a self-inflicted death in which one makes an intentional, direct, and conscious effort to end one’s life

What Is Suicide?  In recent years, another behavioral pattern, self-injury or self- mutilation, has emerged:  People who have intentionally injured themselves on five or more occasions in the last year - without intent to kill themselves – qualify for a diagnosis of non- suicidal self injury

U.S. Suicide Rates by Age, Gender, and Racial Group

15 to 20% of all patients with mood disorders will eventually kill themselves. SUICIDE

Suicide S -- Sex A -- Age D -- Depression P – Previous Attempt E – Ethanol Abuse R – Rational Thought S – Social Support O – Organized Plan N – No Spouse S -- Sickness

Other Psychosocial Factors Associated with Suicide Psychosocial factors ImpulsivityAggressionPessimismFamily psychopathology or instabilityGeneticsSociocultural factors

Suicide Notes Only 15-25% of completed suicides leave notes Some notes include statement of love and concern Others include very hostile content

Treatment Prevention of suicide can take the form of treatment of the underlying mental disorder(s) Antidepressant medication or lithium Benzodiazepines Cognitive-behavioral therapy

Crisis Intervention Response Hotline of Suffolk County http://