From the classical to the modern view of suicide. Analysis of Esquirol's work on suicide.

Abstract

Introduction: In 1838, Jean-Étienne Dominique Esquirol published his book Des Maladies Mentales, which has been widely cited ever since in the literature dealing with the problem of suicide. Based on his clinical experience, he summarized the psychiatric knowledge of his time, and up to that time, devoting a special attention and a chapter to suicide. In this study, we shall be analysing this chapter in the Des Maladies Mentales, which sometimes contradicts itself, in the sense of the criterion system of modern suicide research.

Method: We shall be showing the chapters, highlighting the key statements Esquirol did, and showing the modern research of the problems mentioned. Our goal is to demonstrate the parallel nature of the contemporary and the 19th century theories.

Results: This comparison shows how Esquirol's work laid the foundation and initiated the development of suicidology.

Conclusion: In his approach, which often seems inconsistent and not without contradictions, Esquirol pointed out the complex issues of suicide research with maximum sensitivity and scientific thoroughness.