Myths about suicide / Thomas Joiner.
Around the world, more than a million people die by suicide each year. Yet many of us know very little about a tragedy that may strike our own loved ones, and much of what we think we know is wrong. This book dismantles myth after myth to bring compassionate and accurate understanding of a massive international killer. Drawing on a fascinating array of clinical cases, media reports, literary works, and scientific studies, the author demolishes both moralistic and psychotherapeutic cliches. He shows that suicide is not easy, painless, cowardly, rash, vengeful, or selfish. It is not a manifestation of "suppressed rage" or a side effect of medication. It is not caused by breast augmentation, medicines, "slow" methods like smoking or anorexia, or, as some psychoanalysts once thought, things like masturbation. Threats of suicide, far from being idle, are often followed by serious attempts. People who are prevented once from killing themselves will not necessarily try again. The risk for suicide, he argues, is partly genetic and is influenced by often agonizing mental disorders. Vulnerability to suicide may be anticipated and treated. Most important, suicide can be prevented. The author, an expert whose own father's death by suicide changed his life, is relentless in his pursuit of the truth about suicide and deeply sympathetic to such tragic waste of life and the pain it causes those left behind.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780674048225 (alk. paper)
- ISBN: 0674048229 (alk. paper)
- Physical Description: 288 p. : ill. ; 22 cm.
- Publisher: Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2010.
Content descriptions
Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
Formatted Contents Note: | Introduction : our most basic terror and our most tragic thoughts -- The suicidal mind -- Suicidal behavior -- Causes, consequences, and subpopulations -- Conclusion : stigma : the future of a partial illusion. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Suicide. Suicide victims > Psychology. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Kirtland Community College.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kirtland Community College Library | HV 6545 .J648 2010 | 30540764 | General Collection | Available | - |
Myths about Suicide
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Summary
Myths about Suicide
Around the world, more than a million people die by suicide each year. Yet many of us know very little about a tragedy that may strike our own loved ones-and much of what we think we know is wrong. This clear and powerful book dismantles myth after myth to bring compassionate and accurate understanding of a massive international killer.Drawing on a fascinating array of clinical cases, media reports, literary works, and scientific studies, Thomas Joiner demolishes both moralistic and psychotherapeutic clichÃs. He shows that suicide is not easy, cowardly, vengeful, or selfish. It is not a manifestation of "suppressed rage" or a side effect of medication. Threats of suicide, far from being idle, are often followed by serious attempts. People who are prevented once from killing themselves will not necessarily try again.The risk for suicide, Joiner argues, is partly genetic and is influenced by often agonizing mental disorders. Vulnerability to suicide may be anticipated and treated. Most important, suicide can be prevented.An eminent expert whose own father's death by suicide changed his life, Joiner is relentless in his pursuit of the truth about suicide and deeply sympathetic to such tragic waste of life and the pain it causes those left behind.