Suicide and Islam

Author(s):  
Ahmed Okasha ◽  
Tarek Okasha

The historical and philosophical aspects of suicide in Islam, as well as the influences of Islamic culture on the phenomena of suicide and attempted suicide are discussed, focusing chiefly on attitudes in Egypt. All studies show that suicide is less prevalent in Islamic societies compared to countries associated with other religions. Here, the reasons for suicide in different Islamic and Arabic countries are evaluated in relation to the sociocultural context. The cognitive schemata of Muslims follow the phrases of the Koran that humans were created for the main reason of worshipping God, and that life and death issues should be controlled by God and not by self-destruction. This faith can be a factor in preventing suicide attempts, especially in those practising their religious rituals. The phenomenology of psychiatric disorders in Islamic culture is characterized and dominated in its content, whether hallucinations or delusions by religious themes.

2017 ◽  
Vol 70 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 18-24
Author(s):  
Dragana Ljusic ◽  
Dragan Ravanic ◽  
Ivan Soldatovic ◽  
Snezana Filipovic-Danic ◽  
Mirjana Stojanovic-Tasic ◽  
...  

Introduction. Psychiatric disorders represent an important risk factor for death by suicide. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of psychiatric disorders among the persons who committed suicide in the territory of the City of Nis in the period 2001 - 2010. Additionally, this study aimed to compare the socio-demographic characteristics between persons with and without psychiatric disorders. Material and methods. This retrospective study included 524 persons who committed suicide (330 with and 194 without psychiatric disorders) in the period 2001 - 2010. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, previous suicide attempts, and methods of suicide were obtained from medical and police records (Police Directorate for the City of Nis, and Statistical Office of the Republic of Serbia). Results. We studied the incidence of suicides among the persons with psychiatric disorders compared to persons without any medical condition in the studied period. Depression (104, 31.5%) and personality disorders (103, 31.2%) were the most common psychiatric disorders among the persons who committed suicide, whereas only 21 persons (6.36%) had schizophrenia. Persons with psychiatric disorders had a higher level of education, more of them were divorced, had a private source of income and more frequently attempted suicide compared to persons without any diseases (p<0.001). The most common methods of suicide were hanging and poisoning in both investigated groups. Conclusion. Depression was the most common disorder registered among the persons with psychiatric disorders who committed suicide. It is necessary to develop a national strategy for suicide prevention for groups at high risk of suicide.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  

In most of the countries suicide is one of the ten leading causes of death and for young people it is the second most common cause. But in children suicide is rare and associated with severe personal and social problems. A useful definition of suicidal behavior in children developed by Pfeiffer is “Any self-destructive behavior that has intent to seriously damage oneself or cause death (1986)”. The thought of a child dying by suicide challenges the ideals we hold about how our children grow and develop at their own home and society. It also raises considerations about children’s understandings of death and their capacity to have the intent to suicide. The relationship between psychiatric disorders and adolescent suicide is now well established. Mood disorders, substance abuse, conduct disorder and prior suicide attempts are strongly related with youth and child suicides. Factors related to family adversity, style of parenting and child rearing, recent socio-cultural transition and other precipitating problems also contribute to the risk of suicide. The main target of effective prevention of child and youth suicide is to reduce suicide risk factors. Recognition and effective treatment of psychiatric disorders, e.g. depression, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorders are essential in preventing child and adolescent suicides. In the treatment of youth depression, psychosocial treatments have proved to be useful and efficacious. Here we have described about the case of a 08 year old boy, presenting with restlessness, impulsiveness, multiple threats and one episode of attempted suicide following refusal to watch TV by parents.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marine AMBAR AKKAOUI ◽  
Christine CHAN-CHEE ◽  
Karine LAAIDI ◽  
Gregory FIFRE ◽  
Michel LEJOYEUX ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the evolution of suicides and suicide attempts over the last 10 years in France. Methods: We analyzed the number of deaths by suicide and suicide attempts in metropolitan France (2009-2018) from French national databases, on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Seasonal variation in suicide rates was modeled using a cosinor function. Based on this model, we determined the association of suicides and suicide attempts with geographic characteristics, age, gender, means used and psychiatric disorders. Results: The number of suicides and suicide attempts decreased over the last ten years in France (mean decrease of 14.49% and 11.69% per year). We observed a significant and recurrent seasonal pattern of suicides and suicide attempts in France, with a peak in spring. The suicide and suicide attempt rates were higher in the northern departments of France. Suicides were more frequent for men (75%) and middle-age individuals (45-54 years old), while suicide attempts were more frequent for women (62%) and young adults and middle-age individual (15-19 and 40-49 years old). Nearly two-thirds of the patients who attempted suicide suffered from comorbid psychiatric disorders. Mood disorders was the most frequent comorbid psychiatric disorder (54%). Voluntary drug intoxication was the most common means of suicide attempt (80%), and hanging was the most common means of suicide (54%).Conclusion: The number of suicides and suicide attempts decreased in France over the last 10 years, with large and recurrent seasonal variations. These findings could be used to alert and adjust prevention policies, as well as developing preventive strategies such as chronotherapeutics.


Crisis ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Kim ◽  
Han Joon Kim ◽  
Soo Hyun Kim ◽  
Sang Hoon Oh ◽  
Kyu Nam Park

Abstract. Background: Previous suicide attempts increase the risk of a completed suicide. However, a large proportion of patients with deliberate self-wrist cutting (DSWC) are often discharged without undergoing a psychiatric interview. Aims: The aims of this study were to investigate the differences in the characteristics and outcomes of patients with DSWC and those with deliberate self-poisoning (DSP) episodes. The results of this study may be used to improve the efficacy of treatment for DSWC patients. Method: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 598 patients with DSWC and DSP who were treated at the emergency department of Seoul Saint Mary's Hospital between 2008 and 2013. We assessed sociodemographic information, clinical variables, the reasons for the suicide attempts, and the severity of the suicide attempts. Results: A total of 141 (23.6%) patients were included in the DSWC group, and 457 (76.4%) were included in the DSP group. A significantly greater number of patients in the DSWC group had previously attempted suicide (p = .014). A total of 63 patients (44.7%) in the DSWC group and 409 patients (89.5%) in the DSP group underwent psychiatric interviews. Conclusion: More DSWC patients had previously attempted suicide, but fewer of them underwent psychiatric interviews compared with the DSP patients.


Crisis ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie De Munck ◽  
Gwendolyn Portzky ◽  
Kees Van Heeringen

Background: Notwithstanding the epidemiological studies indicating an increased risk of attempted suicide among adolescents and young adults, there is a scarcity of international studies that examine long-term epidemiological trends in rates and characteristics of this vulnerable group. Aims: This article describes the results of a 9-year monitoring study of suicide attempts in adolescents and young adults referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of the Gent University Hospital (Belgium). Methods: Between January 1996 and December 2004, trends, sociodemographic, and methodrelated characteristics of suicide attempts were assessed by a psychiatrist on data sheets. Results: Attempted suicide rates declined from 1996 to 2001 and then rose until 2004, but did not exceed previous rates. During the 9 years of monitoring, there was a preponderance of female suicide attempters, except for 1997. Rates of attempts and of fatal suicide were negatively correlated. Significantly more males than females deliberately injured themselves. Younger attempters, especially females, significantly more often poisoned themselves with analgesics. In nearly one in five attempts, alcohol was used in combination with other methods, and alcohol intake was more commonly observed in older suicide attempters. Nearly half of the adolescents were identified as repeaters. Conclusions: The results of this study warrant further monitoring of trends and characteristics of young suicide attempters.


Crisis ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 209-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merete Nordentoft ◽  
Jacob Branner

The objective was to examine gender differences in choice of method and suicidal intent among persons referred to a suicide prevention center. A total of 351 consecutive patients who had attempted suicide were interviewed using the European Parasuicide Study Interview Schedule I (EPSIS I) while participating in a 2-week inpatient treatment program. They were invited to a 1-year follow-up interview, and followed in the National Patient Register. Compared to women, men who had attempted suicide were older, had better self-esteem, fewer depressive symptoms, and higher total suicidal intention scores, but they were not more likely to use violent methods. Neither use of violent method nor dangerousness of the attempt was associated with suicidal intention. Although men had higher suicide intent scores than women, there were no significant gender differences in the number of repeat suicide attempts during a 1-year follow-up period. Suicidal intent was not related to dangerousness of suicide method.


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Shannon Lange ◽  
Courtney Bagge ◽  
Charlotte Probst ◽  
Jürgen Rehm

Abstract. Background: In recent years, the rate of death by suicide has been increasing disproportionately among females and young adults in the United States. Presumably this trend has been mirrored by the proportion of individuals with suicidal ideation who attempted suicide. Aim: We aimed to investigate whether the proportion of individuals in the United States with suicidal ideation who attempted suicide differed by age and/or sex, and whether this proportion has increased over time. Method: Individual-level data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 2008–2017, were used to estimate the year-, age category-, and sex-specific proportion of individuals with past-year suicidal ideation who attempted suicide. We then determined whether this proportion differed by age category, sex, and across years using random-effects meta-regression. Overall, age category- and sex-specific proportions across survey years were estimated using random-effects meta-analyses. Results: Although the proportion was found to be significantly higher among females and those aged 18–25 years, it had not significantly increased over the past 10 years. Limitations: Data were self-reported and restricted to past-year suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Conclusion: The increase in the death by suicide rate in the United States over the past 10 years was not mirrored by the proportion of individuals with past-year suicidal ideation who attempted suicide during this period.


Crisis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérôme Ottino

This paper deals with an inpatient unit that recently opened in Geneva, specializing in the treatment of patients aged 16-21 years who had attempted suicide or felt the desire to commit suicide. This particular center was established because of the significant weaknesses found in the provision of care to adolescents who had attempted suicide. Despite the growing interest of health workers in this area of study over recent years, the frequency of suicide among the young has not decreased and there are numerous recurrences of the suicide attempts. Further, all efforts to improve the adolescents' compliance with psychiatric treatment have failed to date. The number of drop-outs from treatment is still very high. Thus, the objectives of our inpatient unit are as follows: (1) to overcome initial resistance to treatment and to improve long-term compliance; (2) to decrease the number of recurrent attempts as a consequence of the above, thus increasing life expectancy; (3) to offer the adolescents who have tried (or have contemplated) committing suicide an improved quality of life, after first helping them overcome the suicidal crisis. To achieve these goals, the therapeutic team of the unit proposes short stays during which the work with the adolescents consists of a very intensive psychoanalytic-oriented crisis intervention. Numerous practical aspects of our therapeutic approach in the inpatient unit are related here in detail, always with reference to our theoretical hypothesis.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Richard T. Liu

Abstract Background Although the clinical importance of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has received increasing recognition, relatively little is known about its epidemiology. The objective of this study was to estimate the lifetime prevalence of NSSI in adults and its association with sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric disorders, and lifetime treatment for NSSI. Methods A nationally representative face-to-face survey was conducted with 7192 adults aged ≥18 years in England. Respondents were interviewed about engagement in NSSI, psychiatric illness, suicidal thoughts and behavior, and treatment history for this behavior. Results The estimated lifetime prevalence rate of NSSI was 4.86%. Younger age, growing up without biological parents in the household, being unmarried, and impoverished backgrounds were associated with NSSI. The majority of respondents with lifetime NSSI (63.82%) had at least one current psychiatric disorder. Most psychiatric conditions were associated with greater odds of lifetime NSSI in multivariate models. NSSI was strongly associated with suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, respectively, even after accounting for psychiatric disorders and sociodemographic covariates. A substantial proportion of respondents with NSSI history (30.92%) have engaged in medically severe self-harm, as indexed by requiring medical attention for this behavior. The majority of respondents with NSSI (56.20%) had not received psychiatric care for this behavior. Conclusions NSSI is prevalent in the general population and associated with considerable psychiatric comorbidity. A high rate of unmet treatment needs is evident among those with this behavior. Those at the greatest lifetime risk for NSSI may also be particularly limited in their resources to cope with this behavior.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S603-S603
Author(s):  
D. Torres ◽  
G. Martinez-Ales ◽  
M. Quintana ◽  
V. Pastor ◽  
M.F. Bravo

IntroductionSuicide causes 1.4% of deaths worldwide. Twenty times more frequent, suicide attempts entail an important source of disability and of psychosocial and medical resources use.ObjectiveTo describe main socio-demographical and psychiatric risk factors of suicide attempters treated in a general hospital's emergency room basis.AimsTo identify individual features potentially useful to improve both emergency treatments and resource investment.MethodsA descriptive study including data from 2894 patients treated in a general hospital's emergency room after a suicidal attempt between years 2006 and 2014.ResultsSixty-nine percent of the population treated after an attempted suicide were women. Mean age was 38 years old. Sixty-six percent had familiar support; 48.5% had previously attempted a suicide (13% did not answer this point); 72.6% showed a personal history of psychiatric illness. Drug use was present in 38.3% of the patients (20.3% did not answer this question); 23.5% were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit. Medium cost of a psychiatric hospitalization was found to be 4900 euros.ConclusionThis study results agree with previously reported data. Further observational studies are needed in order to bear out these findings, rule out potential confounders and thus infer and quantify causality related to each risk factor.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


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