Citation

Pridmore S. Australas. Psychiatry 1998; 6(3): 133-135.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.3109/10398569809082334

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The seven people whose suicide was preceded by the killing of unrelated individuals were poorly integrated into society. There was a past history of mental disorder in one case - this was a mild form. Three were gun owners and one enjoyed video violence while another had Nazi posters, but there were no clear warning signs and no one had predicted the events which unfolded. Fourteen individuals suicide after killing family members. In half of these cases there were no immediate warning signs. The other half included some people with a probable history of psychiatric disorder and some who had been involved in acrimonious breakdown of family relationships. In only one case were there clear warning signs. There were 15 individuals whose suicide was not preceded by the killing of others. In half there were no warning signs whatsoever. Three were at the peak of successful careers. Three were suffering substance abuse or social isolation. Two made secret preparations.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; article; clinical article; female; homicide; human; male; mental disease; social isolation; substance abuse; suicide