Chapter 10: Suicide Flashcards
How do we differentiate suicidal thoughts?
Wanting to be dead vs. intent and plan
What is meant by the term “lethality of method”?
Likelihood of succeeding
What percentage of suicides in the U.S. are due to firearms?
55%
What percentage of suicides in the U.S. are due to asphyxiation (including hanging)?
20%
What percentage of suicides in the U.S. are due to poisoning and overdose?
20%
How more prone are men to commit suicide than women? Why?
- Men 4x more likely to die from suicide (succeed)
- Males choose more violent and lethal methods
How many more suicide attempts do women make than men?
3x more
Why do people attempt suicide?
- Cry for help
- For drama, attention
- To manipulate relationships
How is a fam history of suicide a risk factor?
- Especially suicide of parent during childhood
- Possibility of genetic predisposition
- Role model for suicide –> a way out
- Mythical reunion w/ dead parent
What psychiatric illnesses are risk factors for suicide?
- Depression
- Bipolar
- Schizophrenia
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- PTSD
How is alcohol or drug abuse a risk factor for suicide?
- Decreases inhibitions
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Unable to break addiction and associated losses
How is recently starting antidepressants a risk factor for suicide?
Energy returns first w/o feeling better emotionally
How is impaired problem solving a risk factor for suicide?
- Loss of rational thinking
- Tunnel vision (death is only solution)
How is dichotomous thinking a risk factor for suicide?
Either-or, black-and-white thinking
Explain copycat suicide in teens.
- Subject to peer influence
- Strong capacity for identification
- Idealization
