Psychiatric research

Sadism () and masochism (), known collectively as sadomasochism ( ) or S&M, is the derivation of pleasure from acts of respectively inflicting or receiving pain or humiliation. The term is named after the Marquis de Sade, a French author known for his violent and libertine works and lifestyle, and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, an Austrian author who described masochistic tendencies in his works. Though sadomasochistic behaviours and desires do not necessarily need to be linked to sex, sadomasochism is also a definitive feature of consensual BDSM relationships.

personal experiences associated with impending death

alt=David - The Death of Socrates|thumb|Socrates about to take the poison cup (detail from The Death of Socrates) Suicidology is the scientific study of suicidal behaviour, the causes of suicidality and suicide prevention. Every year, more than 720,000 people die by suicide in the world, setting its mortality rate at about 9/100,000. Suicidologists believe that suicide is largely preventable with the right actions, knowledge about suicide, and a change in society's view of suicide to make it more acceptable to talk about suicide. Suicidology draws from many fields of social science, primarily

medical treatment using altered states of consciousness to treat mental disorders

international perspective on different aspects of mental health

discipline of psychiatry based on evolutionary biology