SUICIDE

Lezine, D. and D. Brent (2008)  Eight stories up New York: Oxford Press

Eight Stories Up is part of the Oxford Press and the Annenberg Public Policy Center’s mental health series. It is an attempt to inform the general public of issues dealing with various mental illnesses. This one deals with suicide and eight stories up was part of the plan of the first author to go to the 20th story and jump off a particular building. He stopped at the 8th story.

The information is packaged in story form of the first author who almost committed suicide. He had planned it for months. For him suicide was the solution to the ongoing depression that he had for many, many years. Suicidal ideation is not always the case for a number of depressive who fined solace in sleep or alcohol. For this individual death finally seemed that first and last resort to his long term problem.

The personality traits that appear to accompany someone who plans or attempts suicide included the following:

Impulsivity (activity without a lot of thought)

Novelty seeking (take quick actions based on frustration and anger)

Reactive aggression (one who takes anger on one’s self)

Harm Avoidance (fearful of others and the future)

Social Inhibition (have difficulties relating to others)

Neuroticism (generalized anger, anxiety, and depression)

The biology and environment both play a part in suicide. Generally, individuals who attempt suicide had relatives who also did so. High stress environment appears to be related to suicide. Biochemicals appear to play a part.

Psychotherapy, medications (2nd generation anti-depressants) and a nurturing environment all appear to resolve this issue. However, one must continue periodic therapy and some support system like some form of spiritual experiences to encourage one that there is a life that has meaning and that one has a purpose in this life.

This is a well written and informative book and is recommended.

Prof. Joel Snell