Suicide in the absence of mental disorder

Abstract

This paper is the result of two decades of studies by a small group of clinician/academics, with an interest in the aetiology of suicide. We find the notion that all or almost all those who complete suicide are suffering a mental disorder to be too restricting. We developed the concept of Predicament Suicide, in which suicide is conceptualized as an escape from unacceptable predicaments. One of these is painful, unresponsive mental disorder. Another is distressing social circumstances. We have used the public record (historical texts through to newspapers and electronic resources) to demonstrate that people with no evidence of mental disorder may suicide in unacceptable predicaments. We have developed the Operationalized Suicide Predicaments (OPS) framework, a means of classifying suicide. The OPS allows for suicide to be classified (as appropriate) as triggered by social factors. It has been found to have face validity and acceptable correlation. It is hoped the OPS may encourage scholars and clinicians to think beyond the medical model.