Autokabalesis

Autokabalesis is a psychiatric term that refers to the choice of jumping from a raised structure or otherwise at a significant height to the ground. Autokabalesis can be an act of suicide or due to a psychiatric disorder.

Studies

Autokabalesis was studied in 1979 by Sims & O'Brien K.[1] A 1992 study found that many suicidal acts of autokabalesis were committed by young males who were unemployed and single.[2] A 1988 study of 28 persons hospitalized as a result of autokabalesis showed most fallers had serious psychiatric disorders.[3]

Examination of data from between 1990 and 1998 of suicide by autokabalesis within New York city showed the highest number of deaths were among those aged 65 and over (Abrams et al 2005).[4]

Prevalence

Between 1987 and 1990, 39 people were treated at the University Hospital Bochum in Bochum, Germany with injuries sustained by autokabalesis.[5]

A 1998 study (Joyce & Fleminger) reported that according to the British Office of Population Censuses and Surveys from 1990 to 1994, 4% of all deaths by suicide were accountable by autokabalesis or from jumping in front of moving objects.[6]

Reports of cases of suicide by autokabalesis are complicated by doubt as to whether death was caused as a result of murder (homicide). Evidence for suicidal intent, according to psychological opinion is thought to be, previous suicide attempts, depression, a history of mental disorder, or current psychiatric admission, and the leaving of possessions at a cliff top.

See also

References
  1. Sims, A; O'Brien, K (1979). "Autokabalesis: An account of mentally ill people who jump from buildings". Medicine, Science, and the Law. 19 (3): 195–8. doi:10.1177/002580247901900310. PMID 459744.
  2. Isbister, E.S.; Roberts, J.A. (1992). "Autokabalesis: A study of intentional vertical deceleration injuries". Injury. 23 (2): 119–22. doi:10.1016/0020-1383(92)90046-U. PMID 1572707.
  3. Katz, Kalman; Gonen, Noah; Goldberg, Igo; Mizrahi, Joseph; Radwan, Marguerite; Yosipovitch, Zvi (1988). "Injuries in attempted suicide by jumping from a height". Injury. 19 (6): 371–4. doi:10.1016/0020-1383(88)90124-6. PMID 3267637.
  4. Abrams, Robert C.; Marzuk, Peter M.; Tardiff, Kenneth; Leon, Andrew C. (2005). "Preference for Fall from Height as a Method of Suicide by Elderly Residents of New York City". American Journal of Public Health. 95 (6): 1000–2. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2004.037861. PMC 1449299. PMID 15914824.
  5. Hahn, MP; Richter, D; Ostermann, PA; Muhr, G (1995). "Verletzungsmuster nach Sturz aus großer Höhe. Eine Analyse von 101 Fällen" [Injury pattern after fall from great height. An analysis of 101 cases]. Der Unfallchirurg (in German). 98 (12): 609–13. PMID 8584940.
  6. Joyce, J.; Fleminger, S. (1998). "Suicide attempts by jumping". Psychiatric Bulletin. 22 (7): 424. doi:10.1192/pb.22.7.424.
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