Abnormal Psychology: Suicide

A suicide attempt that does not result in death.

A self-inflicted death in which the person acts intentionally, directly, and consciously.

A death in which the victim plays an indirect, hidden, partial, or unconscious role.

Direct and deliberate destruction of one’s own body tissue that is not accompanied by an intent to die.

A psychological autopsy in which clinicians piece together information about a person’s suicide from the person’s past.

A pessimistic belief that one’s present circumstances, problems, or mood will not change.

Viewing problems and solutions in rigid either/or terms.

A theory that asserts that people with perceived burdensomeness, thwarted belongingness, and a psychological capability to carry out suicide are the most likely to attempt suicide. Also called interpersonal-psychological theory.

A program that tries to identify people who are at risk of killing themselves and to offer them crisis intervention.

A treatment approach that tries to help people in a psychological crisis to view their situation more accurately, make better decisions, act more constructively, and overcome the crisis.