The 26 Types Of Suicide (According To Different Criteria)

Suicide is a deeply complex and sensitive topic. Understanding the different types of suicide is crucial for psychologists, mental health professionals, and society as a whole to provide appropriate support and intervention. The types of suicide can vary depending on the criteria used to categorize them, such as the motivation behind the act, social context, or psychological state of the individual.

In this article, we explore 26 types of suicide, based on various psychological, sociological, and philosophical perspectives. This classification helps us gain a deeper understanding of why suicide happens and how it can be prevented.

What is the concept of suicide?

Suicide is understood as any act or omission carried out voluntarily with the purpose of ceasing to exist, that is, of taking one’s own life. Generally, the person who decides to commit suicide tends to be going through a period of profound suffering in different important aspects of their life, without being able to cope and being in a state of despair in which the only way out they can see is death.

However, suicide is not always very well delineated, and its definition can vary slightly depending on the culture in which we find ourselves. That’s why, a classification of the types of suicide that exists must take into account cultural particularities that shape this concept in different human societies. For example, in the hospital environment of Western countries, there are practices intended to alleviate the suffering of dying people that, if authorized by them, could be understood as a form of suicidal behavior, although from other cultural perspectives they would not have nothing to do with being included within the concept of euthanasia. These kinds of debates take place in the world of philosophy, and do not obey only scientific criteria.

Possible causes of suicide

The experience of a deep trauma, the diagnosis of an incurable disease, the harassment of other people or the despair and feeling of total lack of control over one’s own life are some of the many aspects that can precipitate in some people the attempt to kill themselves. Although death is sought through these types of acts, for the most part the people who carry them out do not seek death itself but the liberation and cessation of the suffering that something causes them.

At an organic level, suicidal behavior is usually related to a low level of serotonin in the nervous system. There are important risk factors such as the presence of psychopathology (bipolar disorder, followed by addictions, depression, schizophrenia and borderline personality disorder are some of the most linked to suicide attempts), sex (although ideation is more frequent in women, men tend to carry out the suicidal act in a greater proportion of cases) and age, impulsivity and despair, the presence or knowledge of other suicides in the close environment or the existence of persistent stressors that cannot be confronted due to the lack of sufficient resources.

Types of Suicide Based on Psychological and Motivational Criteria

The following types of suicides focus on the individual’s internal psychological processes and the motivations behind their actions:

1. Egoistic Suicide

Egoistic suicide occurs when an individual feels disconnected or alienated from society. This type is often seen in individuals who feel that their lives lack meaning and who may experience profound loneliness. The disconnect from social bonds is the key factor here.

2. Altruistic Suicide

In altruistic suicide, the person takes their own life for the perceived benefit of others. They may see the act as a way to bring about some form of greater good or sacrifice for their community or family. This often happens in societies where communal values are held above individual ones.

3. Anomic Suicide

Anomic suicide is a result of drastic changes or breakdowns in societal norms. When a person experiences sudden shifts in their environment—such as losing a job, a divorce, or experiencing economic collapse—they may feel disoriented and unable to adjust, leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair.

4. Fatalistic Suicide

In contrast to anomic suicide, fatalistic suicide arises when an individual feels trapped by circumstances that seem inescapable. This may occur in highly controlling or oppressive environments, where the individual feels a lack of agency or freedom.

5. Psychotic Suicide

Psychotic suicide happens when an individual suffering from a severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, acts on distorted perceptions of reality. This form of suicide is often influenced by hallucinations or delusions that the individual believes justify the act.

6. Depressive Suicide

In depressive suicide, the person experiences overwhelming sadness, guilt, or worthlessness. They may feel emotionally paralyzed by depression, leading them to believe that the world would be better off without them. The despair is so intense that they feel there is no escape.

7. Impulsive Suicide

Impulsive suicide occurs when a person decides to end their life in the heat of the moment, often due to a sudden emotional crisis. Unlike planned suicides, these actions are often impulsive and driven by temporary distress, such as a breakup or loss.

8. Escape Suicide

This type of suicide is committed by individuals who feel that their suffering or unbearable emotional pain will never end. Escape suicides are an attempt to end a period of deep anguish, often triggered by trauma, abuse, or chronic pain.

9. Existential Suicide

Existential suicide occurs when an individual is confronted by the meaninglessness of life. This may be linked to existential crises or a lack of a sense of purpose. Individuals may feel that life itself holds no meaning or that they are unable to find a reason to keep going.

10. Suicidal Ideation Leading to Suicide

In this category, individuals may not initially have a clear intention to commit suicide, but ongoing suicidal ideation gradually leads them to carry out the act. These individuals may go back and forth between thoughts of ending their life and hoping for things to get better.

Types of Suicide Based on Social and Cultural Criteria

The following types categorize suicides according to the individual’s social environment and cultural expectations:

11. Cultural Suicide

In certain cultures, suicide can be seen as a form of honor or duty. An example of this might be seen in cultures where individuals are expected to end their lives to maintain family honor or to bring justice.

12. Mass Suicide

Mass suicide involves a group of people taking their own lives together. This type often arises in religious or ideological contexts, such as in cults or after extreme psychological manipulation, where individuals are convinced that death is necessary for some greater cause.

13. Societal Suicide

Societal suicide can be linked to entire communities or societies facing profound systemic changes or crises. This could occur in societies under extreme duress, such as during times of war, famine, or societal collapse, where a mass breakdown of social cohesion leads to widespread despair.

14. Heroic Suicide

This type of suicide is performed with the belief that the act will be seen as heroic by others. It’s often linked to individuals who sacrifice themselves in extreme situations, like soldiers in battle or resistance fighters who die for their cause.

15. Ceremonial Suicide

In some societies, suicide is ceremonial or ritualistic. For instance, historical cases where an individual might take their life as part of a ritualistic practice, such as those in certain Indigenous cultures or even in old Japanese seppuku (ritual suicide).

Types of Suicide Based on Timing and Circumstances

The timing and circumstances surrounding suicide also play a critical role in its classification:

16. Suicide by Firearm

In this type, the individual uses a gun or other firearm to take their life. This is often a violent form of suicide, and the use of firearms increases the likelihood of death upon attempt due to the lethality of the weapon.

17. Suicide by Overdose

Overdose suicides are a common method, particularly with drugs or alcohol. It often represents a more passive and less direct method of ending one’s life compared to methods like firearms or hanging.

18. Drowning Suicide

Drowning is another method that individuals may use in suicide attempts. It is often tied to the escape motive, where the individual seeks to disappear or escape the emotional distress.

19. Hanging Suicide

This method is often associated with a deliberate attempt to end life in a way that leads to quick and certain death. Hanging is one of the more common methods, though it can also occur impulsively.

20. Jumping Suicide

Individuals who jump from great heights often have a desire to physically “break free” from emotional or psychological turmoil. This is often seen in cases where the person feels they have no escape from their current situation.

Types of Suicide Based on Psychological and Emotional Impact

21. Suicide Due to Perceived Rejection

Individuals who experience intense emotional pain related to rejection—be it romantic, social, or professional—may see suicide as a way to cope with the perceived loss of their identity or self-worth.

22. Psychological Suicide

This form of suicide is deeply tied to an individual’s mental health issues. Psychological distress, particularly in cases where there is severe depression, anxiety, or personality disorders, is often the main driving force behind these suicide attempts.

23. Suicide by Self-Destruction

Self-destruction involves self-sabotage, where the individual engages in dangerous behaviors leading to their own demise. This type is characterized by self-loathing and a desire to punish oneself.

24. Suicide as Revenge

In some cases, suicide can be seen as an attempt at revenge against others—family members, ex-partners, or society. This may be rooted in anger and resentment, where the individual seeks to punish others by taking their own life.

25. Suicide for Attention

While not the most commonly recognized type, some individuals may attempt suicide as a way to garner attention or sympathy from others. In these cases, the intent may be to provoke a reaction rather than to end their life.

26. Suicide by Self-Inflicted Injury

This form of suicide involves individuals who engage in harmful behaviors, such as cutting or burning, which eventually result in their death. This method often stems from a profound internal struggle and emotional chaos.

Understanding the 26 types of suicide provides a more nuanced perspective of this complex issue. It also reinforces the importance of addressing both individual and societal factors when preventing suicide. Mental health interventions, community support, and ongoing research are critical in helping those at risk of suicide find the help and resources they need to heal and thrive. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to a professional immediately.