Chapter 9 Flashcards
Crisis Intervention
A short-term approach to helping individuals in acute distress, providing immediate support and problem-solving strategies
- See situations more accurately
- Establish positive relationship
- Understand + clarify problems
- Assess suicide potential
- Formulate a plan
Death Darer
A person who has mixed feelings about dying and engages in risky behavior that may lead to death, ambivalent even while attempting suicide
Death Ignorer
A person who does not believe that death is the end of existence and may seek death for spiritual or religious reasons
Death Initiator
A person who believes they are already dying and hastens the process (e.g., a terminally ill individual committing suicide)
Death Seeker
A person who actively desires and plans to end their life
Dichotomous Thinking
A cognitive distortion in which individuals see situations in extreme, all-or-nothing terms (e.g., ‘If I fail this test, my life is over’)
Hopelessness
A belief that no positive future outcomes are possible, often a key predictor of suicide
Interpersonal Theory of Suicide
A theory suggesting that suicide results from a combination of perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and an acquired capability for self-harm
Retrospective Analysis
A method of studying suicide by examining the circumstances, behaviors, and psychological state of the deceased
Subintentional Death
A death in which the person engages in behaviors that increase the likelihood of dying, but without a clear intent to die
- Indirect, covert, partial, or unconscious role
- Drug/substance use, fighting, medication misuse
Suicide
The act of intentionally ending one’s own life
- Self-inflicted
- Conscious and direct
Suicide Prevention Program
Community-based or clinical programs designed to identify and help individuals at risk of suicide
Prevalence of Suicide
One of the leading causes of death in world
- Approx 1 million per year
- More by suicide than homicide
Non Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI)
Deliberate attempts to hurt oneself in nonlethal ways
- Cutting or burning self, banging head, etc.
- Very common in adolescence
- Reduces feelings of tension, anxiety, anger, etc.
Effects of Religion on Suicide
Largely Catholic, Jewish, and Muslim countries have lower rates of suicide
Effects of Gender on Suicide
- 3x more women than men attempt
- 3x more men than women die
- Use more violent methods
Effects of Social Environment on Suicide
- At least 1/2 are socially isolated
- Never married or divorced have higher rates
Precipitating Factors of Suicide: Stressful Events + Situations
- Combat stress
- Immediate stress: loss of loved one (literal or theoretical), loss of job, disasters
- Long-term stressors: social isolation, illness, abuse, occupational stress
Precipitating Factors of Suicide: Mood and Thought Changes
- Hopelessness
- Sadness/shame/anxiety
- Psychological pain
- Dichotomous (black/white) thinking
Precipitating Factors of Suicide: Alcohol and Drug Use
70% of those who attempt are intoxicated
- Lowered inhibition, reduced fear, impaired judgement
Precipitating Factors of Suicide: Mental Disorders
Majority of those who attempt have psychological disorder
- Unipolar/bipolar
- Alcohol use disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Increased risk with multiple
Precipitating Factors of Suicide: Modeling (Contagion)
A suicidal act serves as a model for others (esp in teens)
- Common models: family members/friends, celebs, highly publicized cases
Psychodynamic View of Suicide
Depression/anger at others is redirected toward self
- Ex. Mad at parent for not being involved but they ate gone so can’t solve it
- Childhood losses
Interpersonal-Psychological View of Suicide
People will be inclined if they hold two key beliefs
- Perceived burdensomeness
- Thwarted belongingness (isolation)
- Along w/ life experiences that lead to suicide
- Psychological capacity to carry out
Biological View of Suicide
Genetics
- Early twin studies: genetic link to suicide
Brain Development
- Low serotonin activity
- Abnormalities in depression related brain circuits
- Even w/ no history of depression
- Impulsize or aggressive behavior
Patterns of Suicide in Adolescents
- Suicidal actions more common after 13
- 8/100,000 teens die per year
- Suicidal ideation increases in early adolescence, peaks ~15, and declines
- 200:1 attempts per death in teens
- 4:1 in elders
Patterns of Suicide in Elderly
Most likely to die by suicide
- Illness, loss of close friends/relatives
- Loss of control over life
- Loss of social status (interpersonal)
- 60% have clinical depression
- Death initiator = common
Multicultural and Age Factors on Suicide
- Historical trends rise among Hispanic American + African American teens
- Rising unemployment, racial discrimination
- Highest among Native Americans
- Low when elderly due to social status
- Lower suicide of African Americans than White
- White: negative view of aging
Durkheim’s Sociocultural View
Probability of suicide is determined by how attached a person is to social groups as the family, religious institutions, and community
- More a person belongs less risk
- 3 types: Egoistic, Altruistic, Anomic
- Other factors as well
Egoistic
Carried out by people whom society has little or no control over
- Not concerned w/ rules of society
- Isolated, alienated, nonreligious
Altruistic
Carries out by people whom society are so well integrated in social system that they intentionally sacrifice lives for its well being
- Soldiers + grenade, kamikazee, etc.
Anomic
Pursued by people whose social environment fails to provide stable structures (such as family & religion) to support + give meaning
- Person has been let down by disorganized, inadequate, decaying society
- A major change in someone’s life
Treatments for Suicide
Medical Care
- Follow up psychotherapy/drug therapy
- Person may refuse care or health care may not provide it
- Drug, psychodynamic, CBT, group/family
Therapy Goals
- Keep patient alive
- Reduce psychological pain
- Hope
- STress management
Suicide Prevention
Crisis Intervention to see situation more accurately, establish a positive relationship, understand + clarify problems, assess suicide potential, and formulate plan
Long Term Prevention for Suicide
- Referral to other sources
- Reduce access means
- Gun control, safer meds, better bridge barriers, car emission controls
