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Cited by 118Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesPsychosomatic Disorders and Their TreatmentsPsychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 72 of the 72 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Dissociation, Physical Pain, and Suicide: A Hypothesis

Orbach, Israel·1994·Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
DOI 10.1111/j.1943-278x.1994.tb00664.x
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Abstract

The hypothesis of this paper states that at least some suicidal individuals are characterized by a disposition toward dissociation manifested in relative insensitivity to physical pain and indifference to their bodies. Three main topics are discussed: dissociation and suicide, psychological aspects of pain, and pain and suicide. Various theoretical and experimental studies suggest that certain stress conditions lead to the development of dissociative tendencies, and that once these tendencies are established, they become an integral part of suicidal behavior. Psychological variables that affect pain tolerance are presented and they include perception, motivation, emotions, and behavioral and cognitive strategies of pain control. These can increase tolerance of pain in suicidal individuals, making the suicidal act possible. The specific relationships of pain and suicide are then introduced through an examination of pain analgesia in the phenomenon of self‐harm. The integration of the material suggests that early and continuous stress lead to the simultaneous development of dissociative tendencies (including indifference to the body and pain) and heightened vulnerability to stress. These dispositions may facilitate suicidal behavior in the face of mounting intolerable stress, helplessness, and hopelessness. Preliminary empirical support for the present hypothesis is cited. This hypothesis shifts the focus of attention from the question of what causes suicide to what facilitates suicide, and in so doing suggests new directions for research and therapy.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1943-278x.1994.tb00664.x

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Citations

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Research works printed but not linked: 25

  1. 10.1037/0022-006X.54.6.769 · DOI
  2. 10.1037/0022-006X.54.6.752 · DOI
  3. Bradley J., 1990, Evaluation of imminent danger for suicide: A training manual
  4. Chapman R. C., 1986, The psychology of pain, 153
  5. Danto B. L., 1971, The suicidal inmate, Police Chief, 8, 64
  6. Evans F. J., 1974, Advances in neurology, 289
  7. Farber M. L., 1968, Theory of suicide
  8. Fish‐Murray C., 1987, Psychological trauma
  9. Furman E., 1984, Suicide in the young
  10. Hilgard E. R., 1975, Hypnosis in the relief of pain
  11. Hoffer W., 1950, Oral aggressiveness and ego development, International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 31, 156
  12. 10.1037/0022-006X.51.4.504 · DOI
  13. Lester D., 1989, Changing rates of suicide by exhaust in men and women in the U.S. after car exhaust was detoxified, Crisis, 10, 164
  14. Maris R. M., 1981, Pathways to suicide: A survey of self‐destructive behavior
  15. Melzack R., 1986, The psychology of pain, 1
  16. Ogilvie D. M., 1983, The psychology of suicide, 249
  17. Orbach I., 1993, Perception and affect toward the body in suicidal and nonsuicidal subjects
  18. Orbach I., 1993, Pain tolerance in suicidal psychiatric, and normal subjects
  19. Prescott J. W., 1971, Medical primatology, 1
  20. Reimer C. H., 1981, The phenomenology and psychodynamics of patients with so‐called “hard” and “soft” suicide methods, Psychiatrica Clinica, 14, 112
  21. Sendbuehler J. M., 1977, Attempted suicide varieties of pre‐suicidal states, Psychiatric Journal of the University of Ottawa, 3, 87
  22. Shneidman E. S., 1980, Voices of death
  23. Shneidman E. S., 1985, The definition of suicide: An essay
  24. 10.1037/0021-843X.96.4.313 · DOI
  25. 10.1037/0003-066X.39.12.1357 · DOI

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Metadata

Authors
Orbach, I.
Affiliations
Bar-Ilan University (IL)
Corresponding author
Orbach, Israel
Venue
Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1994-03
Volume
24
Issue
1
Pages
68-79
ISSN
  • 0363-0234 (ISSN-L)
  • 1943-278X
DOI
10.1111/j.1943-278x.1994.tb00664.x
OpenAlex
W2115002595
Cited by
118
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 6 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 2
FWCI
3.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 6148 d)
Locations
  • Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychoanalysis and Psychopathology Research
Keywords
dissociation, suicide, pain tolerance, pain perception, self-harm, stress, dissociative tendencies, helplessness, hopelessness
MeSH terms
Dissociative Disorders, Humans, Pain, Personality Development, Stress, Psychological, Suicide, Self-Injurious Behavior, Pain Threshold

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