Unconscious processes (IN: Suicidology: Essays in Honor of Edwin S. Shneidman, edited by A A Leenaars)

This chapter looks at both the conscious and unconscious aspects of suicide. On the conscious side, the author notes suicide is a conscious act of self-induced annihilation. On the other hand, the driving force is an unconscious process. The author then goes on to look at the unconscious aspect since as he claims it is a vast domain and a key to our understanding. (43 refs.)