Between destruction and subversion: suicide as a response to trauma

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Suicide consists of a complex phenomenon that integrates the various relationships between life and death and which, despite great scientific advances, remains predominantly obscure and enigmatic to the scientific field. The different forms and meanings assumed by suicidal behavior are strongly influenced by both subjective and collective aspects of the psychosocial context in which it is manifested. It is known that suicidal behavior can assume several forms and meanings, being strongly influenced by both subjective and collective aspects of the psychosocial context in which it is manifested. However, even though it is considered a public health problem of extreme urgency and social relevance, suicide is still often treated by society in a reductionist way and permeated by taboos and problematic beliefs. OBJECTIVE: To investigate, based on Sigmund Freud's and Sándor Ferenczi's works, the possibilities of re-signifying suicide as a result of psychic trauma, having as main guide the actions and effects of death drive in this process. METHODS: It consists of a theoretical study of exploratory character based on the analysis of classical literature about the theme. RESULTS: It was identified as the main result that, when contextualized to a traumatic scenario, suicide can become the last resource of protection against destructive external forces. In this sense, by employing the powers of the death drive aiming at the subject's preservation, suicide is configured as the main symbol of insubordination to trauma. CONCLUSION: The death drive consists in one of the main ways through which phenomena, such as suicide, can be rethought and re-signified in its relation with the several spheres of human experiences, especially psychic trauma.