Abnormal Psychology

Mood Disorders and Suicide 243

Figure 6.10

6.10 • Feedback Loops in Preventing Suicide

g

Treatments Targeting

Neurological Factors

Treatments Targeting

Psychological Factors

Treatments Targeting

Social Factors

Changes neural

activity

Changes thoughts,

feelings, and

behaviors

Medication: Specific

medications to treat

psychological

disorders that are risk

factors for suicide

Reduces related risk

factors such as child

abuse and isolation

Increases social

support

Crisis intervention:

Ensure person’s

safety

CBT: Problem

solving, cognitive

restructuring,

improve coping

Prevention programs

Family therapy

Key Concepts and Facts About Suicide

• Suicide is ranked 11th among causes of death in North America.
  Having thoughts of suicide or making a plan to carry it out may
  indicate a risk for suicide; behavioral changes (such as giving
  away possessions) may indicate a more serious risk. However,
  not everyone who attempts or commits suicide displays warning
  signs. In addition, certain self-harming behaviors may be para-
  suicidal behaviors rather than suicide attempts. The presence of
  certain psychological disorders, such as MDD, and a history of
  previous serious suicide attempts increase an individual’s risk
  for suicide.


• Neurological factors that are associated with suicide include
  structural abnormalities in the frontal lobes and altered
  serotonin activity. In addition, suicide may be associated with
  a genetic risk for mood disorders. Psychological risk factors

for suicide include poor coping and problem-solving skills, dis-

torted and rigid thinking, and a sense of hopelessness. Varia-

tions in suicide rates across countries point to the role of social

factors in infl uencing people to commit suicide.

• Suicide prevention efforts target neurological, psychological,
  and social factors. Neurological factors are targeted by medica-
  tions. Treatments that target psychological factors are designed
  to ensure that the suicidal individual is safe and then to help
  the person see past the hopelessness and rigidity that pervade
  his or her thinking. Suicide prevention may also help the patient
  identify the stressors that led him or her to feel suicidal and de-
  velop new solutions to the problems. To address social factors,
  prevention programs may target risk factors that are associated
  with suicide, such as child abuse.