GORDON COLLEGE
OLONGAPO CITY
1st semester A.Y. 2006-2007
SUICIDE
THOUGHTS, TENDENCIES, THREATS
In partial fulfillment of the requirements in General Psychology
Submitted by:
Mary Jane De Castro
BSN1-A
Submitted To:
Mr. Eduardo Mabita Jr.
9th day of October 2006
INTRODUCTION
According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, suicide is an enigmatic and disconcerting phenomenon. Because of others' inability to directly occupy the mental world of the suicidal, suicide appears to elude easy explanation.
Undoubtedly, the challenge of simply fathoming suicide accounts for the vast array of attitudes toward suicide found in the history of Western civilization: bafflement, dismissal, heroic glorification, sympathy, anger, moral or religious condemnation. Suicide is now an object of multidisciplinary scientific study, with sociology, anthropology, psychology, and psychiatry each providing important insights into suicide. Particularly promising are the significant advances being made in our scientific understanding of the neurological basis of suicidal behavior (Stoff and Mann 1997) and the mental conditions associated with it. Nonetheless, certain questions about suicide seem to fall at least partially outside the domain of science, and indeed, suicide has been a focus of philosophical examination in the West since at least the time of Plato. For philosophers, suicide raises a host of conceptual, theological, moral, and psychological questions. Among these questions are: What makes a person's behavior suicidal? What motivates such behavior? Is suicide morally permissible, or even morally required in some extraordinary circumstances? Is suicidal behavior rational? This article will examine the main currents of historical and contemporary philosophical thought surrounding these questions.
THE PROBLEM
As the researcher browse the internet, different meanings of suicide arise. One of these is from Britannica Encyclopedia. Act of intentionally taking one's own life. Suicide may have psychological origins such as the difficulty of coping with depression or other mental disorders; it may be motivated by the desire to test the affection of loved ones or to punish their lack of support with the burden of guilt. It may also stem from social and cultural pressures, especially those that tend to increase isolation, such as bereavement or estrangement. Attitudes toward suicide have varied in different ages and cultures; convicted criminals in ancient Greece were permitted to take their own lives, and the Japanese custom of seppuku (also called hara-kiri), or self-disembowelment, allowed samurai to commit ritual suicide as a way of protecting honour and demonstrating loyalty. Jews committed suicide rather than submit to ancient Roman conquerors or crusading knights who intended to force their conversion. In the 20th century, members of new religious movements, notably the Peoples Temple and Heaven's Gate, committed mass suicide.
VI. PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
An important distinction has also been made between those who kill themselves and did not mean to, and those who did not kill themselves but did mean to. Thus a suicide may either succeed or fail in his/her goal. And this is accompanied by several factors that affect psychological perception of the person. Such as:
· Psychiatric disorder
· Drug and alcohol use
· Sexual identify issues
· Environmental factors
· Problems with peer relationships
· Social isolation
· Firearms present on the reservation
· Prior suicidal histories in family
· Lethal attempts that occurred earlier
· Exposure to information about near lethal attempts among other family members
VI. RESPONSES
Suicidal people are often afraid that trying to get help may bring them more pain. Constructively involving yourself as early as possible will help reduce the risk of suicide. It must be taken into consideration the situation of the patient and understand how he/she feels. It can be a frightening experience when someone you care about may be suicidal. You might just have a gut instinct that something is wrong. Or the person might have shared that s/he has been thinking about suicide, or even has a plan. Some risk factors are:
Have the person's circumstances changed recently? Was there a breakup of an important relationship, such as a separation or divorce? Has the person survived—or has someone close been affected by—a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, physical assault, or a crime? Has the person recently become unemployed?
Has the person been struggling with a difficult situation, such as a chronic illness, physical, sexual or emotional abuse, long-term unemployment, or loneliness and isolation? Does the person abuse alcohol or drugs?
Has the person had problems with depression? Are these signs apparent now: loss of pleasure, a sad mood, a change in sleeping or eating patterns, feelings of hopelessness or excessive guilt? People struggling with depression are at a higher risk for suicide.
Has the person been diagnosed with an illness like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia? People with these illnesses have a higher risk of suicide, and circumstances can change rapidly.
Have the person's actions changed recently? Has he or she talked about suicide or expressed suicidal feelings? Made a plan for suicide? Does the person seem to be putting things in order, giving away possessions, making a will? Has the person's behavior been changing recently? Is school or work performance declining? Is he/she withdrawing from friends or family, spending more time alone?
Some people worry that if they "butt in," the person might be angry with them. While this might occur, you would undoubtedly rather have someone alive and angry at you than wonder later if your involvement might have prevented a death. If someone is feeling suicidal, the most important thing you can provide is support and unconditional acceptance.
· Recognize that he/she is in almost unbearable pain. Listen to the person, and accept feelings without judging or discounting them.
· Tell the person you care about him/her, and want to help make a plan to feel better.
· Call a crisis line yourself to get information and suggestions – counselors can give you some tips as well as some starting resources for developing a plan to get the person the care needed. This might be developing a support system, counseling, or getting in touch with the treatment team if s/he has a mental illness.
· If you can't develop a plan and a suicide attempt seems to be imminent, don't wait – get help. You could be saving a life. Call a local crisis center or dial 911 if it is an emergency. Do not leave the person alone.
· Be sure to take care of yourself as well. It can be very scary when someone close to you is contemplating suicide, and can be difficult to talk about. Find someone that you trust, whether a friend, other family member, religious member, or counselor, to share your feelings.
VI. CONCLUSION
Basically, when a person thinks about suicidal, he/she is undergoing some emotional dilemma. They must not make decisions while problematic. It is because; it may lead to regrets in the end. They must consult a person who has knowledge about this matter like psychologists. We must take it seriously. Studies have found that more than 75% of all completed suicides did things in the few weeks or months prior to their deaths to indicate to others that they were in deep despair. Anyone expressing suicidal feelings needs immediate attention. We must listen. Give the person every opportunity to unburden his troubles and ventilate his feelings. You don't need to say much and there are no magic words. If you are concerned, your voice and manner will show it. Give him relief from being alone with his pain; let him know you are glad he turned to you. Patience, sympathy, acceptance. Avoid arguments and advice giving.
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-this is my research paper on my Psychology subject last semester. .
I just want to share some infos about it. .
!!wEee. .