Two Short Writings on Suicide: At the Edges and the Snow-White’s Apple

I. A view on attempted suicides

This thread is written based on a string of thoughts on life and suicide, which was first initiated by encountering an epidemiological study published last year:

Psychosis alters association between IQ and future risk of attempted suicide: cohort study of 1 109 475 Swedish men
Batty GD, Whitley E, Deary IJ, Gale CR, Tynelius P, Rasmussen F, 2010. BMJ 340: c2506

The study concluded: Low IQ scores in early adulthood were associated with a subsequently increased risk of attempted suicide in men free from psychosis. A greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying these associations may provide opportunities and strategies for prevention.

I would like to expand the issue of attempted suicide beyond mere ineptness due to the lack of clear planning, though I should not totally exclude this possibility.

Low Intelligence Quotient scores may reflect their tendency to be driven emotionally
Individuals with low IQ scores are likely to under-perform academically and perhaps being short of a logic-based problem solving skill. Frustrated bullies at schools might belong to this category; one may find it hard to have an in-depth rational conversation with a bully, that is because their actions are often driven by emotions which inhibit coherent thinking process. The emotional inhibition of logical thinking might also contribute to their underperformance in IQ tests to some extent, for their negative emotions associated with being assessed in general; having lower self-esteem would be a contributing factor makes them susceptible to such effects.

Other possible measure in speculation
Even if individuals with low IQ scores do have deficits in the aspects of cognitive intelligence regardless of their emotional status, the majority (96% of the lowest IQ group in the study above) do not attempt suicide and may live quite happy life. One would speculate that there might be compensatory skills which make them suited to live in human society despite the deficit.

The idea of EQ (empathy quotient) has been introduced by Baron-Cohen as a measure of an ability to grasp others’ emotions and intentions by “social cues” given by facial expressions etc; EQ is a prerequisite for social skills, and low EQ is associated with higher functioning autism-spectrum condition with normal or above intelligence (Baron-Cohen and Wheelwright, 2004). The individuals with high EQ are regarded as being sympathetic in understanding the pains which others may feel; they likely are towards friends they love, but possibly less to enemies they disrespect or feel threatened by (evidently seen in human histories of wars and crimes). The individuals operate comfortably within a group are always quick to suss out the deviates of the group; low IQ with high EQ could altogether devalue and exclude high IQ with low EQ when the former failed to fully understand and acknowledge the latter and vice versa - it might appear slightly off-the-topic, but my intention here is to somehow illustrate that lower IQ can be compensated by higher EQ for them to get on.

Non-fatal, attempted suicide could be the act of sending rescue calls
The suicide attempts with fewer fatality risks (e.g. non-lethal overdose, shallow wrists cuts etc) and obviously unplanned cases are thought to be driven largely by their emotions. The acts possibly are their unspoken means of expressing their troubled feeling or circumstances: their ultimate appeal to the empathetic nature of the others. In such cases, their action of self-harm is demonstrative with few intention to die. Such a mode of actions would only make sense to those with reasonable EQ, for what sought there is empathy by others. Following such incidents, what needed to them are appropriate cares and supports they need; without that the actions may repeat, possibly with increased fatality risks.

Another possible cause for acts of self-harm
Relatively rarely, a few may develop a mild dependency on endogenous opioid, beta-endorphin, which is released while the body undergoes physiologically stressful events. The affected might harm themselves using sharp objects to comfort themselves when non-lethal physical pain is perceived more bearable than affective distresses. Such individuals may better benefit from long-distance running or similarly stressful exercises that would also facilitate beta-endorphin release.

All unexpected events in life - IQ or EQ only represent partial functions in dealing with that
Life is unpredictable: small things can go unintended on daily basis, and the whole thing may take a wrong turn against what have been previously planned. Complications in human lives can be deadly forces, as no one can rarely live alone. We are susceptible to external controls which can emerge as biased rules in human societies, or as meteorological or environmental forces bringing natural disasters. Hardly anyone is exempt from all the probabilities of being struck by random events which could bring happiness or unhappiness. Within limits, however, certain incidents could possibly be avoided by having modest, sensible lifestyles, along with decent moral senses; abilities to self-discipline, being self-sufficient, trusting oneself, and general cautiousness are all important factors, independent of IQ or EQ, in avoiding bad situations which could trigger downward spirals.

References
Baron-Cohen S and Wheelwright S, 2004. The empathy quotient: an investigation of adults with Asperger syndrome or high functioning autism, and normal sex differences. J Autism Dev Disord. 34(2):163-75.
Batty GD et al., 2010. Psychosis alters association between IQ and future risk of attempted suicide: cohort study of 1 109 475 Swedish men, BMJ 340: c2506


II. A case of completed suicide
R.I.P. A. M. Turing, 1912 -1954.

When one is seriously considering to extinguish own existence, s/he would search a method which effectively terminate his/her life at once, carefully minimising chances of ending up in A&E with antidotes and equipments. Regarding critically ill with insufficient medical resources in developing countries, being treated at A&E for self-harm injuries should seem unthinkably wrong. To avoid the situation, the execution would be made at a right timing, well-planned in advance.

To give an example of the completed suicide, I would like to write about Alan M. Turing. Undoubtedly he was one of the brightest in a genuine sense. He was probably most well-known for his contributions on the theory of artificial intelligence. He was also one of the earliest to apply systematic analysis to describe biological phenomena in detail. The field of systems biology is still developing worldwide; some very fortunate ones are having exciting time playing with MATLAB® and plentiful of experimental data for parameters - I wish them good luck.

Turing was driven by foresighted purposes derived from his interdisciplinary interests and curiosities. His positive and productive attributes in life was clearly evident previously. At the end of Computing Machinery and Intelligence published in 1950 he wrote:
“ We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.”

Around that time he was keen on biological systems in neuronal cells and developmental cell growth. He worked forward and published The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis in 1952 on his theory of pattern formation based on reaction-diffusion system, utilising parabolic second order partial differential equations, chemical equations, two-components reaction-diffusion equations.

Time was, however, harsh on him with respect to his personal life. He had a troublesome relationship that triggered a catastrophic situation, which placed him under unimaginable strains. Although he continued developing various ideas, he was suffering from lack of concentration and depression. He eventually turned to a Jungian psychological therapy involving dream analysis.

Turing died by ingesting cyanide and apple in June 1954, just before he turns the age of 42.

One could only imagine what theories and analysis he would have revealed to the world if all was going well for him at that time.

References
Turing, A. M. 1950. Computing Machinery and Intelligence, Mind 59: 433-460.
Turing A. M., 1952. The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis, Phil Trans R Soc Lond B 237: 37-72.
Some information on Turing was taken from the writing by Hodges A, Turing, A Natural Philosopher, a part of the twelve essays in the series of The Great Philosophers, Raphael and Monk ed. 2000. (ISBN 0 75381 136 7)