Definition of Suicide

This ground-breaking work by perhaps the leading suicidologist of the 20th century attempts to redefine our understanding of the true nature of suicide and seeks to help practitioners identify, understand and treat individuals who seek to kill themselves. Based on Dr. Shneidman's more than 30 years experience as a clinical suicidologist, Definition of Suicide presents an original set of ten characteristics common in suicide. Detailed explanations of these "Ten Commonalities of Suicide" create an intimate portrait of the suicidal person's emotions, thoughts, internal attitudes, desires, actions, and inner stresses. Decoding actual suicide notes constructs a deeper understanding of the driving forces behind the act itself. The author draws valuable lessons from literature, philosophy, psychology, and systems theory, illustrated by classics written byy herman Melville, Stephen C, Pepper, Henry A. Murray, and James G. Miller. Deeply insightful, this original book is both a major theoretical treatment of self-destruction and a practical first-aid guide for preventing suicidal deaths.