Nomenclature and definition of suicidal behavior

Abstract

Today we understand suicidal behavior as a spectrum of actions and thought processes. This framework is the result of centuries of thought and study on the subject. This chapter will provide a historical context for attempts to classify and understand the various manifestations of suicidal behavior. This chapter traces the evolution of the study of suicidal behavior from the first appearances of the word "suicide" in text up to the present state of our conceptualization. Various models for classifying suicidal behavior will be described. This chapter aims to provide the reader with a thorough understanding of both the historical and the contemporary definitions of the terms suicidal behavior, suicide, suicide attempt, and suicidal ideation. The impact of the theories of a diverse group of thinkers will be discussed, especially the framework described in the DSM-5. Multiple contemporary and historic diagnostic criteria will be described, as well as the intersections of suicidal behavior and other mental disorders. The tremendous impact of suicide is clear when one considers the high number of suicides that occur annually across the globe and the consequences that accompany suicide. These consequences have been studied from various clinical, economical, statistical, and public health perspectives. The objective of this chapter is to provide the reader a theoretical and conceptual approach to the study of suicidal behavior. The following pages will attempt to catalog the evolution of our understanding of suicidal behavior both nosologically and philosophically and to discuss the current state of our understanding.