The interpersonal theory of suicide

[GoingSoonish]

I came across this in my research and I thought that others might find it interesting. I'm not sure what to make of it because some methods aren't violent but it references being desensitized to violence. Anyway, I am socially isolated and feel like a burden so if the theory is correct then I only have one more box to tick.

In Why People Die by Suicide, Joiner posits the interpersonal theory of suicide, a three-part explanation of suicide which focuses on ability and desire. The desire to die by suicide comes from a sense of disconnection from others and lack of belonging, combined with a belief that one is a burden on others. The ability to die by suicide comes from a gradual desensitization to violence and a decreased fear of pain, combined with technical competence in one or more suicide methods. Under this model, a combination of desire and ability will precede most serious suicide attempts.

The theory consists of three components that together lead to suicide attempts. According to the theory, the simultaneous presence of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness produce the desire for suicide. While the desire for suicide is necessary, it alone will not result in death by suicide. Rather, Joiner asserts that one must also have acquired capability (that is, the acquired ability) to overcome one's natural fear of death.

Interpersonal theory of suicide - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Notf1xable]

There are many different reasons people decide to do it, especially when you realize you have a method that is lethal. I 100% believe in rational suicide and people here have posted about having everything they could want or need and still feel the need to let go of this mortal existence. Pro lifers would say a lot of situations are temporary, but that is simply not true. Many cultures years ago were built around death because of diseases, and it's great we've made progress for those people that want to live. But people that do not want to for what ever reason this medial "help" had extended their lives without reason. According to my mom and grandma I died twice when I was 5, and a part of me still believes maybe that was supposed to be my time.

Sorry for the rant, there are some awesome videos about mental illness and rational suicide as well. Some people even commit suicide for political reasons. There are so many reasons unless that person explicitly tells us why, all these scientists, philosophers, medical personnel, and pro lifers are making assumptions.

I do agree about overcoming the fear of death, it is a spectre in our media to be feared, many are trained to be afraid when it is there time. So much so that some people are given hallucinogens to help them overcome the fear of death. I myself survived my serious attempt due to the fear of nothingness. Part of me is still afraid of becoming nothing, it's worse than any version of hell anyone could tell me.

 

[OneBigBlur]

Pro lifers would say a lot of situations are temporary, but that is simply not true.

Pro lifers are delusional and live in the willfull ignorance of their immediate bubble. Most people that want to die do not live in temporary circumstances, many of them have been lifelong and will remain so. They claim they want to help but none of them will provide housing, disability money, or treat you like a human being. As long as you're breathing they have no problem kicking you to the curb like the homeless on the street.

I'd recommend reading "Every Cradle Is A Grave" because it highlights the reasons why people most often want to die. To put it short, it often is because of a lack of belonging, alienation, and rejection from other people. Loneliness is what it really is and GoingSoonish is on point.

 

[noctiva]

Thank you for the link, it's very interesting, I find myself in there perfectly. And I love to read psychology literature to understand the human mind. Neurobiology is my major and as such I need to stand up for the current level of science and say that mental conditions are, due to neuroplasticity, conditions that under the right circumstances can be altered. As such I would recommend to anyone contemplating suicide based on mental illness alone to try all avenues of recovery until you feel that recovery for you is not a realistically obtainable option anymore. However you decide at the end of the day, be kind to yourselves, you deserve kindness along the journey of life as well as death, especially from yourself.

The 'pro-lifer' debate here on the forum is rather weird though, like all pro-lifers are militant fanatics with the single goal to keep someone alive against their will. I think most people you meet haven't even made up their minds on this subject, simply because they themselves have never had to contemplate suicide as an option in their life before. I think that is actually a very fortunate situation to be in, and I am very happy to know that most people I love and consider my friends and family have never been in a position where they felt so insanely wretched and in so much pain that they considered their own death as an option forwards.

 

[c824767]

Sleepy Joe was suicidal after he found out his first wife and daughter had been killed in a car accident. He said he felt completely rational and completely suicidal and he finally understood why a person who is completely rational would contemplate suicide.

 

[MeltingHeart]

Sleepy Joe was suicidal after he found out his first wife and daughter had been killed in a car accident. He said he felt completely rational and completely suicidal and he finally understood why a person who is completely rational would contemplate suicide.

what he a member on here? that is so terribly tragic.

 

[Science Is Scary]

A number of review papers have been written on the topic:

https://scholar.google.com/scholar?as_ylo=2015&q=intitle:review+interpersonal+theory+of+suicide&hl=en&as_sdt=0,39

For a semi-recent critical review of the theory check out The emperor's new clothes? A critical look at the interpersonal theory of suicide by Shira Barzilay and Birthe Loa Knizek.

Sci-Hub may have the full papers.

 

[c824767]

what he a member on here? that is so terribly tragic.

Sleepy Joe is the nickname Trump gave Joe Biden who is running for presidential candidacy in the US

 

[FohPah]

In other words: people who want to do something, who don't have a strong enough reason not to do that thing, and who have the ability to do that thing, will do that thing.

 

[MeltingHeart]

Sleepy Joe is the nickname Trump gave Joe Biden who is running for presidential candidacy in the US

oh ha, yeah dont think hes a member!

 

[c824767]

oh ha, yeah dont think hes a member!

you NEVER know...

 

[ARW3N]

It's important to point out that Dr. Joiner's father stabbed himself to death and the only way for him to understand his father doing something as inconceivable as that would be if his father had desensitised himself to violence. The problem I have with that theory is that most of the painless methods of killing yourself have been gradually removed over the years by pro-lifers. Many governments are now banning the sales of SN to individuals and classifying it as a poison. Most of the times the only way a person can commit suicide is violently. I do agree with Dr. Joiner's point about social isolation which has been known for a long time. Humans are social pack animals and not solitary creatures. There's quite a few suicides who were separated, widowed, lonely or isolated from others in some way at the time of their deaths.

 

[Soul]

Quite a few, sure, but that leaves out a whole bunch of other reasons for suicide. I may be missing something about this theory.