Autokabalesis

Autokabalesis is a very rare psychiatric term, referring to the choice of jumping from a raised structure or otherwise at a significant height to the ground as an act of suicide or due to psychiatric disorder.

Studies

Studied in 1979 by Sims & O'Brien K.,[1] a study of 1992 found that many suicidal acts of falling from height were done by young males that were unemployed and single.[2] In a 1988 study of 28 persons hospitalized as a result of falling from height, findings showed most fallers had serious psychiatric disorders.[3]

Examination of data from between 1990 and 1998 of this type of suicide within New York city showed the highest number of deaths were within the populus aged 65 and over (Abrams et al 2005).[4]

Prevalence

In the period between 1987 and 1990, 39 people were treated at the University Hospital Bochum with injuries sustained by falls from height.[5]

A study of 1998 (Joyce & Fleminger) reported that according to the Office of Census and Surveys 1990-1994, 4% of all deaths by suicide were accountable by falling from height or jumping in front of a moving object.[6]

Reports of cases of suicide of this nature are complicated by doubt as to whether death was caused as a result of murder (homicide). Evidence for suicidal intent according to psychological opinion is thought to be, previous suicide attempts, depression, a history of mental disorder, or current psychiatric admission,and the leaving of possessions at a cliff top.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sims, A; O'Brien, K (1979). "Autokabalesis: An account of mentally ill people who jump from buildings". Medicine, science, and the law 19 (3): 195–8. PMID 459744.
  2. ↑ Isbister, E.S.; Roberts, J.A. (1992). "Autokabalesis: A study of intentional vertical deceleration injuries". Injury 23 (2): 119–22. doi:10.1016/0020-1383(92)90046-U. PMID 1572707.
  3. ↑ Katz, Kalman; Gonen, Noah; Goldberg, Igo; Mizrahi, Joseph; Radwan, Marguerite; Yosipovitch, Zvi (1988). "Injuries in attempted suicide by jumping from a height". Injury 19 (6): 371–4. doi:10.1016/0020-1383(88)90124-6. PMID 3267637.
  4. ↑ Abrams, Robert C.; Marzuk, Peter M.; Tardiff, Kenneth; Leon, Andrew C. (2005). "Preference for Fall from Height as a Method of Suicide by Elderly Residents of New York City". American Journal of Public Health 95 (6): 1000–2. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2004.037861. PMC 1449299. PMID 15914824.
  5. ↑ Hahn, MP; Richter, D; Ostermann, PA; Muhr, G (1995). "Verletzungsmuster nach Sturz aus großer Höhe. Eine Analyse von 101 Fällen" [Injury pattern after fall from great height. An analysis of 101 cases]. Der Unfallchirurg (in German) 98 (12): 609–13. PMID 8584940.
  6. ↑ Joyce, J.; Fleminger, S. (1998). "Suicide attempts by jumping". Psychiatric Bulletin 22 (7): 424. doi:10.1192/pb.22.7.424.
  7. ↑ Rod Cross - The University of Sydney School of Physics Retrieved 2012-01-25
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