About the book
The focus of this book will be the aggregation of available knowledge relevant to suicide. There is an emphasis on empirical investigations rather than case studies. As a result, a series of topics will be investigated. These involve genetics, i.e. to what extent do genes play a role in the prediction of suicide and suicide attempts. Identical and fraternal twins will be examined as a factor as well as first degree relatives and extended family. Another topic is the predictors of suicide, e.g., level of stress, emotional contributors, and mental illness. Treatments for suicidality is another topic area, ie., what specific forms of empirically-based interventions reduce suicidality. A further topic is an examination of the difference between suicidal gestures and actual suicide attempts. Are gestures distinguishable in the intent from serious attempts? Finally, the emphasis throughout the book is upon scientific investigations.
There are many case studies in the literature but few shed light on the science of suicide and even fewer address how such investigations can be carried out. It is important to gather the available empirical literature on suicide within one volume.
