Citation

Pridmore S, Pridmore W. Australas. Psychiatry 2018; 26(6): 651-654.

Affiliation

Student, Medical School, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1039856218781013

PMID

29926733

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To characterize suicide in early China, as a means of extending knowledge of this behaviour.

METHODS: We examined Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and collated and considered relevant details.

RESULTS: In early China, loss of authority/status, loved ones and fortune were triggers for suicide. The expression of the intention to suicide, either by word or action, was observed and elicited a placating response. Less frequent, but nevertheless clearly recorded, were accounts of suicide completed to satisfy the wishes of others.

CONCLUSIONS: The suicide and related behaviour of early China shares many features with late Western societies, but one form (to satisfy the wishes of others) is currently undetected.

Language: en

Keywords

history; mental disorder; predicament suicide; suicide