Hanna vance

PSY 1010

11/20/2018

Suicide

Suicide is a subject that is very personal and hits home with me. Evidently, that’s why I

have decided to write a reflection paper on it. In chapter twelve, it has suicide as a psychological

disorder. There are many factors in what makes up the whole aspect of the matter.

One of the factors that plays a role is whether or not the person has a mental disorder.

According to the (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2014), “Approximately 90

percent of individuals who commit suicide are estimated to have a diagnosable mental

disorder.” Mental disorders can have a huge effect on how the brain functions. The two main

psychological disorders that contribute to huge roles in the act of committing suicide are

depression and anxiety. (Fried & others, 2013). The emotions and stress that come along with

those disorders can be extremely overwhelming. If not diagnosed and properly taken care of,

then suicide will be more likely to occur.

Other psychological factors that affect individuals who commit suicide can stem from

genetics, mental severity, and even environmental experiences. I would even argue that people

who have diagnosable mental diseases would be more likely to have a more extreme and

personal emotional effect when it comes to those little things. (Hames, Hagan, & Joiner, 2013;

Lamis, Ballard, & Patel, 2014) say in the book say, “ Individuals who feel they do not belong, are

chronically lonely, and who perceive themselves to be a burden on others are more likely to

experience a desire to die.” They may feel like they are alone and have no one help to cope with

their own feelings, which is very threatening especially to the individuals who are diagnosed with

depression or anxiety. Suicide specialist, Thomas Joiner (2005), has a theory that there are
actually two specific main factors that determine suicide. Which is the desire to die, and the

capability to execute it. The hardest part may be in just overcoming that fear of death and even

just becoming numb to it.

I really connected with this section in the book because I had two of my close friends

commit suicide within the past year and a half. I also attended Herriman High where my senior

year there were 7 suicides that happened over just that one year. This was a very hard thing for

me to go through. I first lost my middle school buddy Chandler, who was a very friendly and

intelligent person. He never seemed to show signs that he was struggling. He was enrolled in

AP classes and was very musically talented. I even saw him the night of, several hours before,

when he had taken his own life. June 3rd, 2017 was a day that somewhat changed everything

for me and even for our school. It was a truly devastating way to start off summer. I remember

coming to school and things were just different. I didn’t know that they could’ve gotten worse.

February 3rd was the day my very close friend who I’ve known since third grade took his

own life. Cooper was a good friend and he always knew how to make people laugh. I will never

forget his laugh either. Unfortunately, because of some of the choices he was making, I became

more distant when it came to high school, but I still share many fond memories of us together.

Even of me and my friends with Cooper and Chandler together. I know Cooper and Chandler

may have shown signs of depression, just from my observations and maybe even anxiety.

Especially Cooper. It’s a sad thought to look back and wish that you could’ve been more there

for a person. If I’m trying to say anything at all, it's to be there for others and to not ignore the

signs. Because losing them not only affects them, it changes you it affects everyone else that

knew them too. It may even change a whole entire High School.
 Resources:

All from the Experiencing Psychology book by Laura King :

Thomas Joiner (2005)

(Hames, Hagan, & Joiner, 2013; Lamis, Ballard, & Patel, 2014)

(Fried & others, 2013).

(American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2014)