Citation

Olié E, Courtet P. Douleurs 2017; 18(1): 9-14.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.douler.2017.01.008

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

With one million deaths worldwide, suicide is a major health problem. Although a growing literature on this subject, efficient therapeutic strategies are still lacking. New hypothesis to better understand this complex phenomenon are needed. The purpose of this manuscript is to focus the study of suicidal behavior regarding pain and particularly psychological pain. Unbearable pain is reported to be one of the most frequent themes of suicide notes. Psychological pain or psychache has first been defined by Shneidman who considered psychache is constant suicidal behavior. Considering social exclusion (source of psychological pain) may help to understand the phenomenology of suicidal act. In addition, there is increased evidence of an overlap between psychological/social pain and physical pain, already identified as a suicidal risk factor. There is evidence that an alteration of pain perception may be a factor of suicidal vulnerability. The proposal that pain is core to suicidal behavior may provide new avenues for improving the comprehension of physiopathology and treatment of suicidal behavior. © 2017

Language: en

Keywords

Pain; Psychological pain; Suicide; Vulnerability