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Chapter 3 - Allostasis

The Biology and Neuroscience of Suicide

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 October 2023

Meaghan Stacy
Affiliation:
Yale University, Connecticut
Jay Schulkin
Affiliation:
University of Washington
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Summary

Suicide is a complex public health problem driven by a multitude of biopsychosocial factors and is the result of gene–environment interactions. Psychosocial variables like chronic stress and trauma have biologic ramifications and can contribute to various forms of pathophysiology, dysregulation, and degradation, represented by allostatic load (AL). AL is the wear and tear that stress exerts on the body, and it has been associated with mental health problems and suicide. Fortunately, there are pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions that may be effective at reducing AL and reversing its effects. Incorporating AL into efforts to promote early risk identification, prevention, and treatment of suicide is an important consideration. Critical next steps are identifying which AL biomarkers are most malleable, which effective treatments reduce AL, and if these reductions of AL are associated with decreased suicide.

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Understanding Suicide in the United States
A Social, Biological, and Psychological Perspective
, pp. 26 - 46
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • Allostasis
  • Meaghan Stacy, Yale University, Connecticut, Jay Schulkin, University of Washington
  • Book: Understanding Suicide in the United States
  • Online publication: 12 October 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009386937.004
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  • Allostasis
  • Meaghan Stacy, Yale University, Connecticut, Jay Schulkin, University of Washington
  • Book: Understanding Suicide in the United States
  • Online publication: 12 October 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009386937.004
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Allostasis
  • Meaghan Stacy, Yale University, Connecticut, Jay Schulkin, University of Washington
  • Book: Understanding Suicide in the United States
  • Online publication: 12 October 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009386937.004
Available formats
×