An Observer's Typology of Suicide

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to present a typology of suicide which may assist in future thinking about suicide. Conclusion: A typology is described in which suicide is conceptualized as the result of a predicament (an uncomfortable set of circumstances from which there are limited escape options). Two predicaments are proposed, one when mental disorder is present and is the driver of completed suicide, and the other when mental disorder is absent, and environmental factors are the drivers of completed suicide. Each predicament is divided into two boxes according to the view of the observer, one in which the predicament is very clearly, and the other in which the predicament is less clearly the driver of the suicide. Examples are provided.