Suicide and Grief

Question 1

Ways to characterize suicide

Answer 1

1) violence of method
- violent=guns, jumping
- nonviolent=overdosing

2) medical consequences
- high lethal=hospitalized for medical issue
- low lethal=hospitalized for mental issue

3) degree of planning

Question 2

suicidal ideation

Answer 2

thoughts of engaging in behavior intended to end one’s life

Question 3

suicide plan

Answer 3

the formulation of a specific method through which one intends to die

Question 4

suicide attempt

Answer 4

engagement in potentially self-injurious behavior in which there is at least some intent to die.

Question 5

nonsuicidal self-injury

Answer 5

self-injury in which a person has no intent to die

Question 6

Suicide Statistics

Answer 6

• 10th leading cause of death for all ages in USA
• 4:1 male to female ratio
• 16.7 out of every 100,000 people internationally (14th leading cause)

Question 7

Criteria for Suicidal Behavior Disorder

Answer 7

1) Within the last 24 months, the individual has made a suicide attempt.
2) The act does not meet criteria for non-suicidal self-injury
3) The diagnosis is not applied to suicidal ideation or to preparatory acts.
4) The act was not initiated during a state of delirium or confusion.
5) The act was not undertaken solely for a political or religious objective.

Question 8

Grief

Answer 8

Grief is the physical, emotional, somatic, cognitive and spiritual response to actual or threatened loss of a person, thing or place to which we are emotionally attached. We grieve because we are biologically willed to attach

**2 years is a normal grieving period

Question 9

Common Physical sensations in response to grief

Answer 9

Tightness in the chest

Shortness of Breath

Lack of Energy

Panic Attack-like symptoms

Question 10

Common Cognitive Grief Responses

Answer 10

Disbelief

Confusion

Sense of Presence

Lack of Concentration

Question 11

Common Grief Response Behaviors

Answer 11

Sleep disturbances
Appetite disturbances
Social withdrawal
Dreams of the deceased
Absent-minded behavior

Question 12

Grief vs Depression

Answer 12

Grief= waves, diminished intensity with time, healthy self image , responsive to support, overt expression of anger, centered around the loss, not demoralizing or humiliating, suicide is rare, elicits sympathy and consoling from others

Depression= static moods, consistent sense of depletion , disturbed self image , unresponsive to support , anger is not as pronounced , suicide is more common, elicits irritation and avoidance from others

Question 13

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Stages of Bereavement

Answer 13

1) denial and isolation
2) anger
3) Bargaining
4) depression
5) acceptance

Question 14

William Worden- four tasks of grieving

Answer 14

1) accept reality of loss
2) work through pain
3) adjust to environment with them gone
4) find enduring connection to the deceased

Question 15

Robert Niemeyer theory of bereavement

Answer 15

rebuilding life and searching for meaning