Movatterモバイル変換


[0]ホーム

URL:


Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Rational suicide: philosophical perspectives on schizophrenia

  • Scientific Contribution
  • Published:
Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Suicide prevention is a National Health Service priority in the United Kingdom. People with mental illness are seen to represent one of the most vulnerable groups for suicide and recent British Government policy has focused on prevention and management of perceived risk. This approach to suicide prevention is constructed under a biomedical model of psychiatry, which maintains that suicidal persons suffer from some form of disease or irrational drive towards self-destruction. Many react to the idea of self-inflicted death with instinctive revulsion, which has prevented serious discussion of the concept of rational suicide, particularly in relation to those with schizophrenia. The idea that there may be circumstances in which suicide can be viewed as rational is discussed within the biomedical approach to ethics and wider literature primarily in relation to physical disease, terminal states and chronic pain. It is not deemed a viable choice for those who are considered ‘non-autonomous’ due to the controlling forces of mental illness. I propose that suicide is not a consequence of mental illness per se, and that it may be seen as a rational response to a realistic perspective on the course and consequences of living with schizophrenia. The denial of dialogue about the validity of suicidal ideation for people with schizophrenia has led to negative consequences for people with serious mental illness in terms of justice and recognition of person-hood.

This is a preview of subscription content,log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
¥17,985 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Japan)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Chapter© 2018

Explore related subjects

Discover the latest articles and news from researchers in related subjects, suggested using machine learning.

References

  • Alptekin, K., Y. Akvardar, B.B. Kivircik Akdede, et al. 2005. Is quality of life associated with cognitive impairment in schizophrenia?Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry 29 (2): 239–244.

    Article PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beauchamp, T.L. 1980. Suicide. InMatters of life and death: New introductory essays in moral philosophy, 2nd edn., ed. T. Regan, 77–124. New York: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beauchamp, T., and J. Childress. 2001.Principles of biomedical ethics. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. 1986. Hopelessness as a predictor of eventual suicide.Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 487: 90–96.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson-Tops, A., and L. Hansson. 1999. Clinical and social needs of schizophrenic outpatients living in the community: The relationship between needs and subjective quality of life.Social Psychiatry Psychiatric Epidemiology 34 (10): 513–518.

    Article CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bengtsson-Tops, A., and L. Hansson. 2001. Quantitative and qualitative aspects of the social network in schizophrenic patients living in the community. Relationship to sociodemographic characteristics and clinical factors and subjective quality of life.International Journal of Social Psychiatry 47 (3): 67–77.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Berman, I., B. Viegner, A. Merson, E. Allan, D. Pappas, and A. Green. 1997. Differential relationships between positive and negative symptoms and neuropsychological deficits in schizophrenia.Schizophrenia Research 25: 1–10.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bressan, R., A. Chaves, L. Pilowsky, I. Shirakawa, and J. Mari. 2000. Depressive episodes in schizophrenia—A post psychotic phenomena?Schizophrenia Research 41 (1): 47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R., and G. Pluck. 2000. Negative symptoms: The ‘pathology’ of motivation and goal-directed behaviour.Trends in Neurosciences 23: 412–417.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burns, T., and D. Patrick. 2007. Social functioning as an outcome measure in schizophrenia studies.Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 116: 403–418.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chapman, M., S. Hutton, L.-J. Duncan, B. Puri, E. Joyce, and T. Barnes. 1998. Core negative symptoms and social functioning: West London first episode schizophrenia study.Schizophrenia Research 29 (1–2): 193–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson, J. 2008. Mental capacity and psychiatric admission.British Medical Journal 337: 5–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health. 1983.The Mental Health Act. London: Department of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health. 1999.National service framework for mental health. Modern standards and service models. London: Department of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health. 2002.National suicide prevention strategy for England. London: Department of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health. 2005.Mental Capacity Act. London: Stationary Office.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Health. 2006.Five year report of the national confidential inquiry into suicide and homicide by people with mental illness. London: Department of Health.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dollfus, S. 1998. The measurement of negative symptoms.European Psychiatry 13 (4): 145s.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drake, R., and P. Cotton. 1986. Depression hopelessness and suicide in chronic schizophrenia.British Journal of Psychiatry 148: 554–559.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fenton, W., T. McGlashan, B. Victor, and C. Blyler. 1997. Symptoms, subtype, and suicidality in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.American Journal of Psychiatry 154 (2): 199–204.

    CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fitzgerald, P., T. Rolfe, A. Adams, N. Corteling, C. Williams, A. de Castella, B. Montgomery, and J. Kulkarni. 2000. The relationship of depressive to positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.Schizophrenia Research 41 (1): 47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleischhacker, W. 1998. Are specific studies needed for negative symptoms in schizophrenia?European Psychiatry 13 (4): 146s.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gournay, K. 1996. Schizophrenia: A review of the contemporary literature and implications for mental health nursing theory, practice and education.Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 3: 7–12.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Häfner, H., W. Löffler, K. Maurer, M. Hambrecht, and W. an der Heiden. 1999. Depression, negative symptoms, social stagnation and social decline in the early course of schizophrenia.Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 100: 105–118.

    Article PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hasanah, C.I., and M.S. Razali. 2002. Quality of life: An assessment of the state of psychosocial rehabilitation of patients with schizophrenia in the community.Journal of the Royal Society of Health 122 (4): 251–255.

    Article CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hausmann, A., and W. Fleischhacker. 2002. Differential diagnosis of depressed mood in patients with schizophrenia: A diagnostic algorithm based on a review.Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 106: 83–96.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hawton, K., L. Sutton, C. Haw, J. Sinclair, and J. Deeks. 2005. Schizophrenia and suicide: Systematic review of risk factors.British Journal of Psychiatry 187: 9–20.

    Article PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, J. 2007. Critical evaluation of the use of research tools in evaluating quality of life for people with schizophrenia.International Journal of Mental Health Nursing 16 (1): 2–14.

    Article PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hewitt, J. 2008. Dangerousness and mental health policy.Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 15 (3): 186–194.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kulhara, P., A. Avasthi, R. Chadda, K. Chandiramani, S. Mattoo, S. Kota, and S. Joseph. 1989. Negative and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia.British Journal of Psychiatry 154: 207–211.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kylmä, J., T. Juvakka, M. Nikkonen, T. Korhonen, and M. Isohanni. 2006. Hope and schizophrenia: an integrative review.Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing 13: 651–664.

    Article PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liddle, P. 1998. Negative symptoms: Concepts and pathophysiology.European Psychiatry 13 (4): 145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin, C. 2007.Suicide-related behaviour. Chichester: Wiley.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Meltzer, H. 2001. Treatment of suicidality in schizophrenia.Annals New York Academy of Sciences 932: 44–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Möller, H.-J. 1998. Treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia.European Psychiatry 13 (4): 145s.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Möller, H.-J., R. Bottlender, U. Wegner, J. Wittman, and A. Straub. 2000. Long-term course of schizophrenic, affective and schizoaffective psychosis: Focus on negative symptoms and their impact on global indicators of outcome.Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 102 (407): 54–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson, T., W. Cutter, and M. Hotopf. 2008. Assessing mental capacity: The Mental Capacity Act.British Medical Journal 336: 322–325.

    Article PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nicki, A. 2002. Feminist philosophy of disability care ethics and mental illness.Nursing Philosophy 3: 270–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okai, D., G. Owen, H. McGuire, S. Singh, R. Churchill, and M. Hotopf. 2007. Mental capacity in psychiatric patients.British Journal of Psychiatry 191: 291–297.

    Article PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perenyi, A., T. Norman, M. Hopwood, and G. Burrows. 1998. Negative symptoms, depression and parkinsonian symptoms in chronic, hospitalised schizophrenic patients.Journal of Affective Disorders 48: 163–169.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ragin, A., M. Pogue-Geile, and T. Oltmanns. 1989. Poverty of speech in schizophrenia and depression during in-patient and post-hospital periods.British Journal of Psychiatry 154: 52–57.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sax, K., S. Strakowski, P. Keck, V. Upadhyaya, S. West, and S. McElroy. 1996. Relationships among negative, positive, and depressive symptoms in schizophrenia and psychotic depression.British Journal of Psychiatry 168: 68–71.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shields, L., D. Hunsaker, and J. Hunsaker. 2007. Schizophrenia and suicide: A 10-year review of Kentucky medical examiner cases.Journal of Forensic Science 52 (4): 1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skantze, K., U. Malm, S.J. Dencker, P.R. May, and P. Corrigan. 1992. Comparison of quality of life with standard of living in schizophrenic out-patients.British Journal of Psychiatry 161: 797–801.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tonkens, R.S. 2007. A reply to Cholbi’s ‘suicide intervention and non-ideal kantian theory’.Journal of Applied Philosophy 24 (4): 397–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tunis, S.L., T.W. Croghan, D.K. Heilman, B.M. Johnstone, and R.L. Obenchain. 1999. Reliability, validity, and application of the medical outcomes study 36-item short-form health survey: SF-36, in schizophrenic patients treated with olanzapine versus haloperidol.Medical Care 37 (7): 678–691.

    Article CAS PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Werth, J.L. 1996.Rational suicide? Implications for mental health professionals. Washington: Taylor & Francis.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy, History and Law, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, SA2 8PP, South Wales, UK

    Jeanette Hewitt

Authors
  1. Jeanette Hewitt

    You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence toJeanette Hewitt.

Rights and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hewitt, J. Rational suicide: philosophical perspectives on schizophrenia.Med Health Care and Philos13, 25–31 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-009-9183-1

Download citation

Keywords

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
¥17,985 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Japan)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Advertisement


[8]ページ先頭

©2009-2025 Movatter.jp