Terror Suicide: How Is It Possible?

Abstract

How it is possible for people who apparently do not suffer from distress or pathology to commit violent, cruel suicides? Based on the distinction between causes for suicide and facilitators of suicide, I contend that terror suicide is based largely on processes that facilitate suicide rather than on personal distress. Under this premise, terror suicides are examined in terms of enthusiastic determination to achieve a goal, ideological rage, glorification of the post self, heavenly rewards, materialistic benefits for families, induced dissociative processes, and linguistic mediation. Also described are the processes and preparations by which the idea of terror suicide and its facilitators are induced. Further, a theoretically inferred profile of the suicide attacker is also suggested.

Keywords:

• terrorism
• suicide
• post self
• afterlife
• facilitators of suicide