Why people die by suicide / Thomas Joiner.
"In the wake of a suicide, the most troubling questions are invariably the most difficult to answer: How could we have known? What could we have done? And always, unremittingly: Why? Written by a clinical psychologist whose own life has been touched by suicide, this book offers the clearest account ever given of why some people choose to die." "Drawing on extensive clinical and epidemiological evidence, as well as personal experience, Thomas Joiner brings a comprehensive understanding to seemingly incomprehensible behavior. Among the many people who have considered, attempted, or died by suicide, he finds three factors that mark those most at risk of death: the feeling of being a burden on loved ones; the sense of isolation; and, chillingly, the learned ability to hurt oneself. Joiner tests his theory against diverse facts taken from clinical anecdotes, history, literature, popular culture, anthropology, epidemiology, genetics, and neurobiology - facts about suicide rates among men and women; white and African-American men; anorexics, athletes, prostitutes, and physicians; members of cults, sports fans, and citizens of nations in crisis." "The result is the most coherent and persuasive explanation ever given of why and how people overcome life's strongest instinct, self-preservation. Joiner's is a work that makes sense of the bewildering array of statistics and stories surrounding suicidal behavior; at the same time, it offers insight, guidance, and essential information to clinicians, scientists, and health practitioners, and to anyone whose life has been affected by suicide."--BOOK JACKET.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780674025493 (pbk.)
- ISBN: 0674025490 (pbk.)
- Physical Description: 276 pages ; 22 cm
- Publisher: Cambridge, Mass. : Harvard University Press, 2005.
Content descriptions
Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references (p. 243-266) and index. |
Formatted Contents Note: | Prologue : losing my dad -- What we know and don't know about suicide -- The capability to enact lethal self-injury is acquired -- The desire for death -- What do we mean by suicide? How is it distributed in people? -- What roles do genetics, neurobiology, and mental disorders play in suicidal behavior? -- Risk assessment, crisis intervention, treatment, and prevention -- The future of suicide prevention and research -- Epilogue. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Suicide. Suicide victims > Psychology. Suicide victims > Family relationships. Children of suicide victims. |
Show Only Available Copies
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Meyersdale Public Library | SPTF 616.85 JOINER (Text) | 30512005385685 | MEYM Non-Fiction | Available | - |
Meyersdale Public Library | SPTF 616.85 JOINER (Text) | 30512005385693 | MEYM Non-Fiction | Available | - |