Citation

Hodes M. Br. J. Med. Psychol. 1990; 63(4): 319-333.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, British Psychological Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2081156

Abstract

The recent epidemic of suicide attempts by overdosing has been explained in different ways. The suggestion that overdosing is a form of language or communication is explored here. Understanding the meaning of the communication requires consideration of the culture in which overdosing occurs, and some relevant cultural changes are discussed. How the overdose functions as communication between people is explained in terms of the properties of a communication system. The full meaning needs to be understood in relation to the individual's social world. The overdose may have different meanings for different family members and these are linked to different affective responses. Overdosing occurs in individuals who are relatively powerless, and the implications of this are discussed.

Language: en