Understanding the Phenomenon of Suicide in the Shadow of Traumatic Life Experiences

Abstract

During the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of international publications connecting traumatic life events with suicide. Even more and more studies have confirmed a statistically relevant relationship between actual or childhood trauma and self – destructive behavior. Adolescent suicide research has reported a strong correlation between abuse during childhood and suicidal tendencies during adolescence. — Surprisingly, it seems that general clinical and suicidological data have not succeeded in clarifying the interplay between trauma and suicide. — The authors intend to describe the trauma–related suicide process, which lead to the development of negative self representations and consequent painful feelings as well as the possible neurobiological correlation between the two phenomenon. It will be interesting also to discuss the place and role of unbearable psychological pain in the development of a “goal directed process,” leading to suicide.