Suicide as a Distorted Goal-Directed Process: Wanting to Die, Killing, and Being Killed

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2016 Nov;204(11):812-819. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000000528.

Abstract

It has been suggested that suicidal persons engage in distorted thinking. We propose that suicide can be understood as a distorted goal-directed action. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify the specific distortions in the goal-directed processes of suicide as indicated in suicide narratives of 40 persons after a suicide attempt. The findings indicate action distortions such as the disconnect between the wish to die, the action of killing oneself, and the experience of being killed. Furthermore, we found a lack of long-term nonsuicidal pursuits, missing or incomplete action monitoring, and control and regulation processes. The implications for suicide prevention are discussed, and the procedure of self-confrontation interview is suggested as a helpful intervention.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Death*
  • Female
  • Goals*
  • Hospitalization / trends
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological* / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Suicidal Ideation*
  • Suicide, Attempted / prevention & control
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*
  • Suicide, Attempted / trends
  • Switzerland / epidemiology
  • Thinking*
  • Young Adult