Resource Tag: EXISTENTIAL THEORIES

Diggory presents an extensive study of the elements of hopelessness, providing background from the fields of history, philosophy & sociology as well as psychology & psychiatry. The components of personal despair, he states, are those conditions under which an individual’s special reason for existing are rendered non-existent. Either he is not equipped to pursue the […]

The purpose of this study was to provide a philosophical analysis of self-destructive behavior from an existential frame of reference. An examination of attitudes toward suicide throughout history revealed positions of total acceptance to rigid condemnation. The author sees suicide as an individual’s last exercise of the ultimate existential freedom, the freedom to live or […]

This novel is set in an imaginary Suicide Academy where would-be suicides are invited for a day of self-analysis and meditation, after which they must decide whether to return to the world or end their lives. Many of the reasons which cause people to contemplate suicide are illustrated in the exchanges between the director and […]

The presuicidal syndrome, characterized by constriction & focusing one only one solution–suicide–is addressed by mental health professionals in a community psychiatric clinic described by the author. Clinicians deal with the patient’s ego regression in an open & accepting manner, that respects the individual’s autonomy. This is illustrated in the 3 case histories described. (NBB)

An existential study of the life of Robert Starobin who committed suicide, in 1971, at the age of 31. The author offers several theories to explain the life & death of this politically active, socially concerned historian. (NBB)

This study investigates suicide from the vantage point of the suicidal person by analyzing the personal meanings of the act for the individual. Subjects (N=27) were 17 parasuicides, 5 suicide ideators, & 5 completed suicides, ranging in age from 13-58 years. The subjects were studied using Jean Baechler’s approach. Results indicated that there was, in […]

In German: A philosopical view of death, and in particular, self-inflicted death & the right to take one’s own life.

The author examines the evolution of self-destructive behavior in an individual as he passes through normal developmental stages. Part 1 includes chapters dealing with studies of suicidal behavior, the original trauma that precipitates later self-destruction, suicide in adolescence & adulthood, classification of attempts, epidemiology & social class, & case illustrations. Part 2 deals with the […]

Dr. Scneidman defines suicide from a bio-socio-psychologico-existential standpoint. Perturbation (how upset the individual is) & lethality are considered keystones to understanding suicidal behavior. It is suggested that the way to decrease lethality is by dramatically decreasing the felt pertubation. A distinction is made among 4 psychologically different kinds of encounters; conversation, hierarchical exchange, psychotherapy of […]

Several arguments in favor of the individual’s right-to-die are examined, illustrated by excerpts from the works of several theorists. The ethical consequences of the thesis that suicide is permissible are also presented.

A theological discussion of the right to die: Holderegger states that “The real demand on Christians consists of creating such conditions in which it is verified that man does not have to gain meaning himself in a prematurely chosen death.” (p.98) 8 ref. (NBB)

The author compares the difficulties faced by the individual in psychotherapy to the larger realm of society’s attempt to deal with global problems. In both instances, there is resistance to changes; a tendency to cling to traditional values & an attempt to apply them to present-day situations, even in the face of new information that […]

Management of self destructive behaviors by confrontation with those dying from terminal illnesses is the subject of this article. The theoretical basis for such intervention ios derived from crisis theory & existential psychoanalytic principles. (note: this is a summary of an original presentation to the AAS conference held May 2-5/84.)(NBB)

Author Burstow critically examines Binswanger’s existential philosophy as it applies to schizophrenia. According to this interpretation, the individual has personal constructs through which experiences are filtered. As the individual matures, experiences may clash with this matrix: given loving support from others, he adapts. Lack of support threatens him & he may filter the experience to […]

The author presents an overview of psychological theories related to the risk of suicide in patients with manic-depressive or schizophrenic disorders. Each condition is discussed separately from the persective of psychoanalytical, cognitive & existential psychologies. (NBB)

Judith Carle discusses existential phenomenology as one method of assisting researchers to a more complete understanding of suicidal ideation. Basic assumptions of EP methodology & a nine-step procedure for analysis & interpretation of data are provided. A major departure in EP research is the full participation of the subject (termed a ‘coresearcher’) in research methodology.

Discusses the philosophical implications of suicide and suggests that insights into its causes will emerge if less emphasis is placed on death as the “enemy” and more attention is placed on “dread” as a potential liberator.

This interdisciplinary study defines voluntary euthanasia & uses a self death concept linking ideas about suicide & euthanasia. Attitudes & beliefs are discussed in detail along an historical perspective from Gothic to present day. A bibliography is provided for study. Existenialist, neoorthodox, Catholic humanist, New Left & counterculture ideologies are reviewed in the context of […]

On the basis of an existential analysis, the authors consider the suicide, at age 42, of Cesare Pavese, one of the most important Italian poets & writers of the post-World War II period. It is found that in his poems, his novels & particularly his letters & diary the idea of suicide was present in […]

A brief discussion of the effects of seasonal changes & weather on affect states. (NBB)

This paper suggests that many suicidal problems evolve from the adolescent’s realization that life is finite and one can kill. This concept is approached clinically from three points of view: frank suicidal cases, covert suicidal cases, and the therapist’s countertransference reactions to suicidal issues. (3 ref.)

A sociologist looks at the ongoing experience of chronic pain with its attendant coping process of searching for both relief & meaning for the intractable suffering. Religious, philosophical & mystical belief systems are explored along with their empirical use as resources to provide meaning for suffering. Suicide can result when the sense of meaning is […]

A detailed case description & the analyses of an European woman who committed suicide near the turn of the century are described. Excerpts from Ellen West’s diary are used to illustrate her obsession with food & her developing illness. Shortly after release from the Kreuzlingen Sanitorium, where she was seen by Kraepelin, Bleuler & others, […]