Suicide, Physiology, and Behavioral Predispositions (IN: Suicide and Self-Damaging Behavior: a Sociobiological Perspective)

This chapter discusses possible physiological reasons for why suicide may occur. Neurotransmitters and their effect on mood are discussed. Acute stressors can affect the activity of catcholamines & deplete monoamines, perhaps indicating a more suicidal person. Lower levels of catecholamines and serotonin have been found in the brains of suicide victims. Pain sensitivity to physiological damage, and the effect that endorphins have on this sensitivity, are detailed.