The Enigma of Suicide

Front Cover
Simon and Schuster, 1992 - Psychology - 575 pages
With deep compassion and humanity, George Howe Colt helps us understand how and why suicide happens and what we can do to help. "The Enigma of Suicide" combines powerful case histories with a fascinating, multidisciplinary survey of current knowledge to offer new insight into every aspect of this widespread yet little-understood phenomenon. Colt clarifies:

the various motives for committing suicide and the meaning the act may have for the person who kills himself

who commits suicide and why certain people and groups seem more susceptible to it than others

self-destructive behaviors that may lead to suicide, including alcoholism

the role of the media and popular music in suicide

warning signs and the possibilities for prevention

both sides of the growing right-to-die debate

how suicide affects those left behind and their ways of coping

 

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LibraryThing Review

User Review  - worldsedge - LibraryThing

Parts of this book were very well done, parts were dated and/or downright silly. The best section was the historical overview of suicide and the last portion of the book relating to the anguish of survivors. Read full review

The enigma of suicide

User Review  - Not Available - Book Verdict

Written by a writer for Life magazine, this well-researched book covers all aspects of suicide, including its social, cultural, and legal history; the biological and psychological research available ... Read full review

Contents

Preface
7
Justin
15
HISTORY
129
THE RANGE OF SELFDESTRUCTIVE
207
Under the Shadow
222
Backing into the Grave
262
Connections
275
There Is No Life So Miserable but It May
285
A Model Hemlock Couple
398
SURVIVORS
409
The Mark of Cain
421
The Torture Chamber
433
The OerFraught Heart
443
The Jigsaw Puzzle
458
The Building Blocks
483
Merryl and Carl
491

HI Treatment
307
The Unanswered Question
346
Your Good End in Life Is Our Concern
367
Selected Bibliography
549
Index
562
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