Historical analysis of suicide

Abstract

Suicide is a dangerous clinical event causing 2% of human mortality. Due to its inherent danger to life and complexity, suicide studies are in high demand. Many resources have been allocated to the development of predicting suicides, its prevention and useful medical interventions so that biomedical and scientific study of the subject is indispensable. Historically, knowledge on suicide was largely based on mental illness studies. The diagnosis of suicide,mood disorders and the treatments have been reported since over 2000 years ago (Hippocrates in 460-377, BC). Despite a long history of association between suicide and mood disorder, the related terminology have evolved greatly. Yet, mortality reduction has been minimal despite many diagnostic and therapeutic studies and no effective therapeutic means have been developed. To improve on this scenario, we review the history and literature on suicide.