Can Shneidman's ''Ten Commonalities of Suicide'' accommodate rational suicide?

Journal/Book: Suicide Life-Threaten Behav. 1996; 26: 72 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012. Guilford Press. 292-299.

Abstract: Shneidman's (1985) commonly reproduced ''Ten Commonalities of Suicide'' cannot accommodate rational suicide, as the concept has been defined in recent literature, and therefore are not ''commonalities'' of all suicides. Quotes from Shneidman describing the ''commonalities'' are provided and selected items are briefly examined in light of one set of criteria for rational suicide. It is suggested that Shneidman's list, which is inherently biased against allowing for the possibility of rational suicide, be renamed so that its contents will not continue to be inappropriately used as evidence that suicide cannot be rational.

Note: Article JL Werth, Univ Arkansas, Counseling & Psychol Serv, 600 Razorback Rd, Fayetteville, AR 72701 USA

Keyword(s): PSYCHOTHERAPISTS; ATTITUDES

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