Suicidal behavior - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Suicidal behavior includes 3 types of self-destructive actions:

Suicide completed : self-injurious act, which results in death;
Suicide attempt : an act that intends to be self-destructive, but that does not hesitate in death, since the action was uncertain, vague or ambiguous;
Suicidal acts : gestures involving an action with very low lethal potential (eg inflicting superficial wounds on the wrists); they have a predominantly communicative value.

Suicide attempts and suicidal acts imply ambivalences about the will to die and can be a request for help from people who still wish to live.

Suicidal behaviors usually result from the interaction of multiple factors.

The primary risk element is depression. Social factors (eg disappointment and loss), personality abnormalities (eg impulsiveness or aggression), traumatic childhood experiences (eg, separated family, loss of parents, abuse and violence) and diseases can also predispose to suicidal behavior. psychiatric.

Suicide attempts appear to be more frequent, in particular, among patients with anxiety disorders associated with major depression or bipolar disorder. Some schizophrenic patients are prone to suicide because of the depressive disorder they are predisposed to.

Even abruptly stopping the intake of paroxetine and other antidepressants can cause an increase in depression and anxiety and contribute to suicidal behavior.

Other risk factors include severe physical disorders, especially chronic and painful ones (eg cancer, heart disease or sexually transmitted diseases).

In some cases, suicide represents the final act of an indirect self-destructive behavior, that is characterized by repeated and often unconscious exposure, to potentially lethal risks without the intention of dying, but with effects that can ultimately be self-destructive. This is the case with alcoholism, drug abuse, self-mutilation, reckless driving, a lot of smoking, overeating and violent antisocial behavior.

The choice of methods with which to commit suicide is determined by many factors, including cultural elements, availability and seriousness of intention. Some methods make survival almost impossible (eg jumping into the void from great heights), while others may allow rescue (eg, drug ingestion). However, the use of a non-fatal method does not necessarily imply that intention is less serious.

A bizarre method suggests an underlying psychosis, while violent ones, such as hanging or using firearms, are infrequent in suicide attempts.

Any suicidal behavior must be seriously considered and needs proper management by a health professional