Psychosocial Ch 27 Flashcards
define suicide
the action of intentionally taking one’s own life
define direct self destructive behaviors
- any form of active suicidal behavior such as threats, gestures, or attempts to end one’s life
- active wish to die
- ex:individual who intends to commit suicide
define indirect self-destructive behaviors
- behaviors or actions that may result in harm to the individual’s well being or death
- no actual intention of ending their lives
- EX:substance abuse, dangerous activities, unwillingness to change negative thoughts and actions
- many of these behaviors are legal or socially accepted, so ppl don’t realize their potential for harm
define self-injuries
- reaffirm to individuals that they are still alive
- pain serves as a reminder to connection to real world
(objective)
myths about suicide (9 in book)
- ppl who talk about it will not commit suicide
- one does not need to take a suicide threat seriously
- a failed suicide attempt is manipulative behavior
- it is harmful to discuss the subject of suicide with clients
- only psychotic or depressed ppl commit suicide
- suicide occurs only in the lower socioeconomic classes (the poor)
- young children never commit suicide
- when ppl show signs of an improved mood, the threat of suicide is over
(objective)
what are cultural factors that affect suicide
- laws, customs, beliefs, values, and norms
- religious beliefs and customs have an impact
- customs and rituals may play a role
(objective)
what are social factors influencing suicide
- biggest one is social isolation (felt by fast-paced and goal oriented societies)
- availability of weapons
- one’s state of health (suicide rates climb as we age)
- kind of community-based resources
define rational suicide
ppl choose the time and place of their passing. the choice to end one’s life was made freely and rationally with a sound mind
High suicide rates are seen where
- survivors of natural disaster
- veterans of combat
- ppl with PTSD
what are the different dimensions of suicide (5)
physical emotional intellectual social spiritual
physical dimension of suicide
thoughts of suicide produce many of the same biochemical changes in the body as depression
emotional dimension of suicide
person is filled with feelings of ambivalence, anger, aggression, guilt, helplessness, and hopelessness
define ambivalence
state in which an individual experiences conflicting feelings, attitudes, or drives
intellectual dimension of suicide
intense emotional suffering leads to distorted thinking and self-defeating thoughts
-the self becomes devalued and worth little
social dimension of suicide
includes one’s views of others
spiritual dimension of suicide
suicidal individuals grapple with the cultural, religious, and ethical dilemmas associated with one’s demise
all suicide victims seem to share two major viewpoints. what are they
1-deep, inner disturbance of hopelessness, despair, poor self-esteem, and feelings of being trapped
2-logic whereby suicidal individuals consider the act as a way of relieving themselves of the miseries of this life and connecting with a sense of immortality or a life beyond the one they are leaving behind
what are the 5 different motives for suicide
- cry for help
- refusal to accept a diminished quality, style, or pace of life(causes ppl to commit rational suicide)
- need to affirm soul
- to relieve distress
- preoccupied with suicide
psychoanalytical theory of suicide
-all humans have the instinct for life and death within them
sociological theory of suicide
- relationship between the number of suicides and the social conditions of an area
- consider the impact of social factors on the occurrence of suicide
interpersonal theory of suicide
viewed as the outcome of a failure to work with or resolve interpersonal conflicts
survivor guilt
- loss of a loved one is hard on other ppl
- guilt is a main response
- feel they could have done something
- guilt may stem from anger
- children often feel responsible for suicide
summarize suicide and children
- result of family conflict or disruption
- learn by exposure
- cry for help
- change their situation
- act out a sincere with to die
- usually not planned
- THE KEY TO RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS IS ANY CHANGE IN THE CHILD’S BEHAVIOR
summarize suicide and adolescents
- option for solving their problems
- many factors:depression, poor impulse control, emotional isolation family interactions, use of drugs, alcohol, lack of consistent relationships
- risk of suicide increased in children/adolescents who suffer from chronic disease (like ppl with diabetes)
summarize suicide and adults
- women attempt suicide 3x more than men
- men more successful
- occurs when individual is unable to cope with pressures of adulthood
- loneliness is a factor
summarize suicide and older adults
- as age increases, so does rate of suicide
- tend not to communicate their intentions unless directly asked
- elderly ppl taking potent alalgesics are at high risk for feelings of depression
define passive suicide
refusing to eat, drink, or cooperate with care
many older adults view the timing of death in one of three ways. what are they
- God controlled
- physician and individual controlled
- controlled by the individual alone
what are some risk factors for suicide
- abuse, neglect, exploitation
- academic pressures, school problems
- accident prone
- chronic or terminal illness
- dysfunctional family relationships
- family hx of anxiety/depression
- hx of alcoholism/substance abuse
- loss of parent or significant other
- low socioeconomic status, poverty
- male gender, unmarried, unemployed
- negative outlook for future
- social isolation or lack of social support
(objective)
outline the process of assessing the suicidal potential of a client
- important to evaluate EVERY client for potential
- first assess the risk factors
- ASK the client directly (give client permission to discuss their feelings/attitudes)
- obtain a drug/med hx for every client
- have they attempted suicide or planned it out
- substance abuse
- what is their level of despair
- can they control their own behavior
(objective)
choose 3 therapeutic goals and interventions for clients with suicidal behaviors
- will refrain from making any suicidal gesture or attempts of suicide
- will be able to discuss feelings
suicidal ideation
expressed thoughts or fantasies with no definite intent-may express ideas directly or symbolically
suicidal threats
verbal or written expressions of intent without actual actions
suicidal gestures
actions that result in little or no injury but communicate the message of suicidal intent
parasuicidal behaviors
unsuccessful attempts with a low likelihood of success
suicidal attempts
serious self-directed actions with the intent to ends one’s life
complete suicide
the successful ending of one’s life
what are the levels of suicidal behavior
suicidal ideation suicidal threats suicidal gestures parasuicidal behaviors suicidal attempts complete suicide
define suicide precautions
standard interventions to prevent a suicide attempt from occurring
during the nursing hx interview, the client tells the nurse that he would be better off dead. the care provider’s best response is:
To ask whether he has a plan to commit suicide
The first priority for the care of clients who may be suicidal is:
Protection from harm
