Year: 1980 Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, v.10. no.3, (Fall 1980), p.131-141 SIEC No: 19820356

Examination of the behaviour of attempted suicides permits an analogy to be drawn between them & the biological concept of “conservation withdrawal”. This takes account of innate responses, individual differences & changing sociocultural standards. This formulation allows a nonjudgmental approach to the patient, with acceptance of both the appeal and “wish to die” components. In addition, it offers a different view of the nosological debate, rendering the differences more apparent than real.