Year: 2000 Source: Crisis, v.21, no.4, (2000), p.192 SIEC No: 20011066

This presentation discussed evidence which suggests the occurrence of suicidal behaviour is determined by the interaction between stress & a diathesis. Stress refers to psychiatric, psychological or biological phenomena following the exposure to adverse events. The diathesis concept refers to a predisposition or persistent vulnerability which can be described in psychological or biological terms. Interaction in this model refers to the possibility the diathesis may predispose individuals to the occurrence of stressful life events & to the possibility the occurrence of such events & the subsequent activation of the stress system may have a detrimental effect on the diathesis by affecting the serotonergic system. Further study is needed.