This paper examines personal factors, beyond psychopathology, involved in suicidality. The hypothesis is that there are 3 sets of personality constellations that may underlie suicidality: impulsive & aggressive characteristics combined with an oversensitivity to minor life events; narcissism, perfectionism, & the ability to tolerate failure & imperfection, combined with an underlying schizoid personality structure; & hopelessness related to an underlying depression. This article discusses only the first two constellations. (39 refs.)