Autopsy of a Suicidal Mind

Autopsy of a Suicidal Mind is a uniquely intensive psychological analysis of a suicidal mind. In this poignant scientific study, Edwin S. Shneidman, a founder of the field of suicidology, assembles an extraordinary cast of eight renowned experts to analyze the suicidal materials, including a ten-page suicide note, given to him by a distraught mother looking for insights into her son's tragic death. The psychological autopsy centers on the interviews conducted by Shneidman with Arthur's mother, father, brother, sister, best friend, ex-wife, girlfriend, psychotherapist, and attending physician.

To gain some understanding of this man's intense psychological pain and to examine what may have been done to save his tortured life, Shneidman approached the top suicide experts in the country to analyze the note and interviews: Morton Silverman, Robert E. Litman, Jerome Motto, Norman L. Farberow, John T. Maltsberger, Ronald Maris, David Rudd, and Avery D. Weisman. Each of the eight experts offers a unique perspective on Arthur's tragic fate, and the sum of their conclusions constitutes an extraordinary psychological autopsy.

This book is the first of its kind and a remarkable contribution to the study of suicide. Mental health professionals, students of human nature, and persons whose lives have been touched by this merciless topic will be mesmerized and enlightened by this unique volume. An epistemological tour de force, it will speak to anyone who is concerned with human self-destruction.

Shneidman (U. of California at Los Angeles) examines the case of an individual suicide, bringing together interviews with his family and friends, involved professionals, and "consultations" with other psychiatrists specializing in suicide in order to conduct a post- mortem "autopsy" of the psychological state that led to the young man's death.
Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Foreword, Judy Collins

Consultants

1. The Beginning

2. About Suicide Notes

3. Consultation by Morton Silverman, M.D.

4. Interview with the Mother

5. The Idea of a Psychological Autopsy

6. Interview with the Father

7. Consultation by Robert E. Litmanm, M.D.

8. Consultation by Jerome Motto, M.D.

9. Consultation by Norman L. Farberow

10. Interview with the Brother

11. Interview with the Sister

12. Consultation by John T. Maltsberger, M.D.

13. Interview with the Pal

14. Consultation by Ronald Maris, Ph.D.

15. Interview with the Ex-Wife

16. Interview with the Girlfriend

17. Interview with the Psychotherapist

18. Consultation by David Rudd, Ph.D.

19. Interview with the Psychiatrist

20. Consultation by Avery Weisman, M.D.

21. Letter to the Mother

Appendix: Arthur's Suicide Note

References

Index

About the Author