Autopsy of a Suicidal Mind

Edwin Shneidman, one of the keenest minds on suicide, offers an outstanding "autopsy" of a suicidal mind, Arthur, a miserable physician-attorney. Arthur, it seems, had a knack for having to be perfect and for communicating his pain in letters. Given his suicide letter (and many drafts that preceded it), Shneidman and a team of suicidologists interview several people who knew Arthur well (they thought) to try to figure out just why Arthur chose death over life.The book is outstanding. It is hard to stop reading as each expert and interviewee offers his or her own unique views of Arthur's life and death. Unfortunately, if you're looking for one correct answer, it's not in this book. Shneidman does an excellent job of showing how ultimately all psychological questions can be answered with just two words: "It depends!" Depending upon your own perspective, you could argue convincingly that Arthur kills himself because he was, for example, mildly autistic (and untreated), clinically depressed (and inappropriately treated), selfish and narcissistic (attention seeking), controlling and dominant (had to have the last word through his own death), or traumatized as a child by rigid, unloving parents that divorced young.Overall, if you want to see first hand how some of the premier suicidologists in the world can honestly, yet amicably, disagree, check this excellent, quick read text. It won't give you the answers, but it sure will help you understand better that suicide and psychological health are complex matters that we may never truly understand.

This is in the top of a list of books I've read. More importantly one of the best on the subject of suicide. This is a fabulous book if you suffer from 'psychache', (depression, suicidal ideation), as well as those survivors or the inquisitive who want in-depth theory on suicide. I've had bipolar disorder from a young age and can say without a doubt this has helped me understand myself and I could say it has been encouraging (in sort of an obscure, perverse, morbid sense). My understanding of grandiosity and narcissism has changed completely. I think a lot of readers would love this book as highly educational, and in a way entertaining. I honestly couldn't stop reading when I had to. I think being so intensely focused on the subject of psychology, the medical field and suicide, it all played a large part of my enjoyment. I didn't enjoy the suffering endured by those survivors in any way to be clear. It's also quite eye-opening to learn how some professionals digest their patients.This was definitely worth the money. No hesitation on rating it 5 stars. I also recommend the other book in relation, same author. It was an incredible read. I can't say which is better.

For someone who is interested in social work and mental health, this is a very insightful and interesting education into the mind of az suicidal patient. I learned a lot from this book

I began reading this book just weeks after my grandson died by suicide. As a therapist and scientist, I plan to use the information shared in this book to conduct an autopsy on my grandson's suicidal mind.

One could scarcely imagine a more egregious example of ignoring the elephant in the room than this book.This book is a "psychological autopsy" of "Arthur," a young man who seemingly had everything to live for -- youth, health, a loving family, looks, charm -- not to mention degrees in both law and medicine -- who ended his own life, far too soon, by an overdose of Oxycontin.Sure, Arthur had some problems growing up, but who didn't? Unfortunately, somewhere along the line, he fell into the clutches of the psychiatric profession, who prescribed Prozac, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Lithum, and God knows what else.The experts assembled for this book pontificate about "psychache," Arthur's "cold and rigid" mother, and his supposed faulty genetic inheritance, but none of them get around to mentioning that the drugs he had been prescribed are known to cause worsening depression and akathisia -- even though Arthur's description of his own torment -- "like nails hammered into every inch of my body" -- is almost the textbook definition of akathisia.Reading this book is like listening to a bunch of guys in a hole in the ground arguing about how to get out -- while ignoring the extension ladder right next to them.

I appreciate this book as it has helped me to further understand suicide and the science of a suicidal mind. My son died by suicide Sept 2017, and I've learned many answers to many of my Why questions.

Very interesting read and helped me understand this complex situation a lot better. I'm really glad I came across it.

After my child committed suicide I read everything -(non-religious) I could find. Shneidman was the best, most thorough, intellectually brilliant and deeply compassionate.