Medical Conditions Associated with Suicide Risk: Amputation and Suicide

This ebook provides a review of studies regarding people who have suffered the loss of a limb and their risk for attempting suicide. This review suggests that, indeed, there is a possible link between limb loss and suicide. The authors discuss the importance of having clinicians understand the effect that limb loss has on the potential for development of suicidal behaviors. Practical recommendations for caregivers are included.

Written by:
Seth D. Messinger, Ph.D., Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, MD

Edited by:
Alan L. Berman, Ph.D., Executive Director, American Association of Suicidology, President, International Association for Suicide Prevention

Maurizio Pompili, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Psychiatry, Sant’ Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy and McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA