Process of Suicide: Perspective of the Suicide Attempter

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Chesley ◽  
Nancy E. Loring-McNulty
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Health Care Professional ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Suicide Attempter

BACKGROUND: Little has been studied regarding the concept of suicide as a process and how it is perceived by the suicide attempter in the wake of suicidal behavior. OBJECTIVES: The purposes of the study were to increase understanding of the subjective experience of the suicidal individual and to identify factors that contribute to survival following a suicide attempt. Study Design: An investigator-designed survey was used in this retrospective descriptive study. RESULTS: Feelings of sadness, depression, disappointment, and emptiness were the emotions most often experienced by participants in the period immediately following their suicide attempts. By contrast, respondents later felt glad or grateful they had survived. Treatment with a health care professional was mentioned most often as preventing current suicidal behavior and also identified as the most frequent coping strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Participants were able to develop effective coping strategies and find meaning in life following suicide attempts.

scholarly journals The Psychological State of Family Members Who Have Experienced Various Forms of Suicide of a Loved One (Single Attempt, Chronic Suicide, Completed Suicide)

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.V. Borisonik ◽  
A.B. Kholmogorova
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Family System ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological State ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Completed Suicide ◽  
The Family

The suicidal behavior of a member of a family influences the emotional well-being of his/her relatives. This paper presents the results of a pilot study of emotional well-being, coping strategies and characteristics of the family system among relatives of persons with suicidal behavior. The study involved 40 people, the total sample was divided into three subgroups: relatives of patients who survived the first suicide attempt (n = 16); relatives of patients after multiple suicide attempts (n = 10); relatives of persons who committed suicide (n = 14). In the first part of the study, the symptoms of emotional distress were analyzed for the entire sample. Relatives of people with different forms of suicidal behavior are at risk of depression: two-thirds of the combined sample showed increased symptoms of depression. The coping strategies of positive redefinition and personal growth are negatively correlated with symptoms of depression. In the second part of the study, we analyzed differences between subgroups. The severity of the symptoms of depression is significantly higher in the subgroup of relatives of people with completed suicide compared to relatives of those who survived a single suicide attempt, the indicators of hardiness and cohesion of the family system are lower in the families of people with multiple suicide attempts compared to other forms of suicidal behavior.

Interactive Effects of Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance and Pain Persistence on Suicide Attempt Frequency and Lethality

Crisis ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 413-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan L. Rogers ◽  
Thomas E. Joiner
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Pain Perception ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Pain Tolerance ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Interactive Effects ◽  
Physical Pain ◽  
Affective Disturbance ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. Background: Acute suicidal affective disturbance (ASAD) has been proposed as a suicide-specific entity that confers risk for imminent suicidal behavior. Preliminary evidence suggests that ASAD is associated with suicidal behavior beyond a number of factors; however, no study to date has examined potential moderating variables.  Aims: The present study tested the hypotheses that physical pain persistence would moderate the relationship between ASAD and (1) lifetime suicide attempts and (2) attempt lethality. Method: Students ( N = 167) with a history of suicidality completed self-report measures assessing the lifetime worst-point ASAD episode and the presence of a lifetime suicide attempt, a clinical interview about attempt lethality, and a physical pain tolerance task. Results: Physical pain persistence was a significant moderator of the association between ASAD and lifetime suicide attempts ( B = 0.00001, SE = 0.000004, p = .032), such that the relationship between ASAD and suicide attempts strengthened at increasing levels of pain persistence. The interaction between ASAD and pain persistence in relation to attempt lethality was nonsignificant ( B = 0.000004, SE = 0.00001, p = .765). Limitations: This study included a cross-sectional/retrospective analysis of worst-point ASAD symptoms, current physical pain perception, and lifetime suicide attempts. Conclusion: ASAD may confer risk for suicidal behavior most strongly at higher levels of pain persistence, whereas ASAD and pain perception do not influence attempt lethality.

scholarly journals The Role of Past Suicidal Behavior on Current Suicidality: A Retrospective Study in the Israeli Military

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 649
Author(s):  
Leah Shelef ◽  
Jessica M Rabbany ◽  
Peter M Gutierrez ◽  
Ron Kedem ◽  
Ariel Ben Yehuda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Military Service ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Severity Rating ◽  
Significant Difference

Past suicide attempts are a significant risk factor for future suicidality. Therefore, the present military-based study examined the past suicidal behavior of soldiers who recently made a severe suicide attempt. Our sample consisted of 65 active-duty soldiers (61.5% males), between the ages of 18 and 28 years old (M = 20.4, SD ± 1.3). The inclusion criterion was a recent severe suicide attempt, requiring at least a 24 h hospitalization. This sample was divided into two groups, according to previous suicidal behavior, namely whether their first suicide attempt was before or after enlistment (n = 25; 38.5% and n = 40; 61.5%, respectively). We then examined the lethality and intent of the recent event in regard to this division. Four measures were used to assess the subjects’ suicidal characteristics: the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale, the Self-Harm Behavior Questionnaire, the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised, and the Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. No significant difference in the severity of the suicide attempts (either actual or potential severity) were found between those who had suicide attempts before enlistment and those who had their first attempt in the service. As a matter of fact, most of the suicide attempts that occurred for the first time during military service had used a violent method (58.3%, n = 21). Finally, using multivariate analyses, we found that current thoughts and behavior, rather than past suicidality, was the strongest predictor for the lethality of suicide attempts.

scholarly journals 109 Near-fatal suicide attempts among Canadian Youth: A CPSP Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. e45-e45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Mitchell ◽  
Cornelius Ani ◽  
James Irvine ◽  
Claude Cyr ◽  
Ari Joffe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Suicide Mortality ◽  
Prevention Interventions ◽  
History Of ◽  
Self Harm

Abstract Background Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian adolescents. Youth who make near fatal suicide attempts, such as those requiring intensive care unit (ICU) level care, are the closest proxy to those that die by suicide; however, there is limited data on this group. Objectives To evaluate the minimum incidence rate and patterns of presentation of youth (under 18 years of age) admitted to the ICU for medically serious self-inflicted injury. Design/Methods From January 2017 to December 2018, over 2,700 paediatricians/subspecialist members of the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program were electronically surveyed on a monthly basis regarding cases of medically serious self-harm. Participants completed a detailed questionnaire about the reported case and descriptive statistics were used for analyses. Results Ninety-four cases (71 female; mean age 15.2 years) of confirmed (n=87) and suspected/probable (n=7) medically serious self-harm were reported. The majority (87%) of cases were reported from 4 out of 13 provinces and territories in Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec). There were 11 deaths by suicide (M>F; p<.05). Medication ingestion was the most common method of self-harm among females (76% F vs. 52% M; p=.03) compared with hanging among males (14% F vs. 39% M; p=.009). More females than males had a prior suicide attempt (62% F vs. 32% M; p=.07) and a history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) (65% F vs. 14% M; p<.05), although only history of NSSI reached significance. More females than males had a past psychiatric diagnosis (77% F vs. 55% M; p=.05), and past use of mental health services (69% F vs. 30% M; p<.001), although only service use reached significance. Half of the youth left evidence of intent (54%) and 33% of parents of included youth were aware that their child was considering suicide. Family conflict was the most common precipitating factor for suicide attempt in both females and males (46%). Conclusion These Canadian findings are consistent with international epidemiologic data that observe a gender paradox of higher rates of suicide attempts in females and greater mental health care engagement but increased suicide mortality in males with decreased involvement with mental health care. This study suggests that family conflict is a potential target for suicide prevention interventions among youth. Future research focusing on gender-specificity in risk factor identification and effectiveness of primary prevention interventions among youth is warranted.

scholarly journals Research on serotonin and suicidal behavior: neuroendocrine and molecular approaches

2002 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 408-416
Keyword(s):  
Major Depression ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Gene Polymorphism ◽  
Psychiatric Disorder ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Molecular Approaches ◽  
History Of ◽  
Serotonergic Function

We carried out two studies to test the hypothesis that altered central serotonergic function, as assessed by lower prolactin (PRL) response to fenfluramine (D-FEN), is more closely associated with suicidal behavior than a particular psychiatric diagnosis. A D-FEN test was performed in 85 major depressed inpatients, 33 schizophrenic inpatients, and 18 healthy controls. We showed that PRL response to D-FEN is a marker of suicidality, regardless of psychiatric disorder. We then examined the association en the serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) receptor 5-HT(2A) gene polymorphism (T102C) and suicide in a sample of Brazilian psychiatric inpatients (95 with schizophrenia, 78 with major depression) and 52 healthy controls. No differences were found in genotypic frequencies across patients and controls. Overall, no differences were found between patients with (n=66) and without (n=107) a history of suicide attempt. We also compared patients with a history of severe suicide attempts (lethality>3; n=32) and patients without such a history (n=107), but they did not exhibit different genotypic frequencies either. These results show thai the 5-HT(2A) gene polymorphism (T102C) may not be involved in the genetic susceptibility to suicidal behavior.

scholarly journals Repetitive negative thinking about suicide: Associations with lifetime suicide attempts

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Teismann ◽  
Thomas Forkmann ◽  
Johannes Michalak ◽  
Julia Brailovskaia
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Clinical Sample ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Repetitive Negative Thinking ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Suicide Attempters ◽  
Negative Thinking

Background Repetitive negative thinking has been identified as an important predictor of suicide ideation and suicidal behavior. Yet, only few studies have investigated the effect of suicide-specific rumination, i.e., repetitive thinking about death and/or suicide on suicide attempt history. On this background, the present study investigated, whether suicide-specific rumination differentiates between suicide attempters and suicide ideators, is predictive of suicide attempt history and mediates the association between suicide ideation and suicide attempts. Method A total of 257 participants with a history of suicide ideation (55.6% female; Age M = 30.56, Age SD = 11.23, range: 18–73 years) completed online measures on suicidality, general and suicide-specific rumination. Results Suicide-specific rumination differentiated suicide attempters from suicide ideators, predicted suicide attempt status (above age, gender, suicide ideation, general rumination) and fully mediated the association between suicide ideation and lifetime suicide attempts. Conclusion Overall, though limited by the use of a non-clinical sample and a cross-sectional study design, the present results suggest that suicide-specific rumination might be a factor of central relevance in understanding transitions to suicidal behavior.

Suicide Attempt During Adolescence

Crisis ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 290-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie de Kernier
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
The Self ◽  
Clinical Vignette ◽  
Mental Functioning ◽  
Therapeutic Work ◽  
Psychodynamic Approach

Background: Suicidal behavior among adolescents raises both the questions of object transactions and of how these objects have been internalized. Aims: This article uses a psychodynamic approach to highlight particularities of mental functioning in adolescents attempting suicide and presents the care provided for suicidal adolescents. Methods: The results of this longitudinal research are briefly outlined and a clinical vignette is presented illustrating the latent meaning of the suicidal gesture. The hypothesis is offered that the murder of a part of oneself is an important latent component of suicide attempts in teenagers. Results: Attempting suicide is interpreted as performing unconsciously in order to kill the insufficiently contained infans. The root of this word in Latin literally means “one who does not speak.” We refer to infans as the idealized and speechless part of oneself subjugated to parental projections. A suicidal gesture is a way of relieving oneself of the part of the self that condenses trauma resulting from drives and parents’ idealized expectations. Conclusions: Therapeutic work helps adolescents express representations of the meaning of their violent gesture. Murder representations appearing after a suicide attempt modify violence linked to puberty drives and reshape identifications.

scholarly journals Serotonin transporter gene polymorphism as a predictor of short-term risk of suicide reattempts

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico M. Daray ◽  
Ángeles R. Arena ◽  
Arnaldo R. Armesto ◽  
Demián E. Rodante ◽  
Soledad Puppo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Serotonin Transporter ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Short Term ◽  
History Of ◽  
Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study ◽  
Adjusted Model

AbstractObjective:The serotonin-transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphisms are associated with suicidal behavior; however, prospective studies are scarce. Herein we aim to determine if 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms predict risk of short-term suicide reattempt in a high-risk suicidal sample. We also explore possible mediators or moderators of this relationship.Methods:A multicenter prospective cohort study was designed to compare data obtained form 136 patients admitted to the emergency department for current suicidal ideation or a recent suicide attempt. Subjects were clinically evaluated, genotyped, and monitored for a new suicide attempt for 6 months.Results:At 6 months of follow up, 21% of the subjects had a new suicide attempt. The frequency of L-allele and L-carrier was higher in reattempters when compared with non-reattempters (55.8% vs. 35.4%, p = 0.01 and 76.9% vs. 54.2%, p = 0.04, respectively). Reattempters also differ from non-reattempters patients with respect to age, history of previous suicide attempts, and age of onset of suicidal behavior. The logistic regression model showed that L-carriers had an odds ratio of 2.8 (95% CI: 1.0–7.6) for reattempts when compared to SS genotype. The adjusted model indicates that this association is not mediated or moderated by impulsivity.Conclusion:The 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms predicted short-term risk of suicidal reattempt independently of age and sex. L-carriers have almost three times more risk of relapse when compared with SS carriers.

Wish to Die: Suicide and Its Link to Euthanasia

2019 ◽  
pp. 003022281987118
Author(s):  
Inês Costa-Maia ◽  
Sílvia Marina ◽  
Miguel Ricou
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Suicidal Behavior ◽  
Care Practice ◽  
Health Care Practice ◽  
Wish To Die ◽  
Different Populations

This article analyzes suicidal behavior and how its inherent processes of death ideation can overlap with those seeking euthanasia. We present a literature review of three main events in suicide (suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide) in different populations and evaluate implications for health-care practice and risk assessment taking into account the context of euthanasia. We ponder upon the motives behind suicide and its link with wish to die requests to hasten death. We discuss the possibility of the reversal of a wish to die as well as a potential process of differentiating between individuals who would maintain their wish and benefit from termination of life and others who would later change their minds.

Attempted Suicide: Correlates of Increasing Medical Lethality

1975 ◽  
Vol 37 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1236-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lester ◽  
Aaron T. Beck
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Suicide Attempter

Ratings of medical lethality of 145 suicide attempts with coma-producing drugs were unrelated to the personal characteristics of the suicide attempter, the precipitating circumstances, and most of the circumstances of the suicidal act. The ratings of medical lethality did, however, appear to have some validity. As the suicide attempter might incorrectly predict the lethality of his planned suicide attempt, his self-report of intent may be more useful for classification of his behavior than the actual lethality of his suicidal action. It was not possible to form reasonable hypotheses about the characteristics of completers of suicide from the characteristics of three groups of attempters of suicide of differing medical lethality.

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