Resource Tag: HELPLESSNESS (PSYCHOLOGY)

In this article, a suicidal woman diagnosed as catatonic schizophrenic told her story in a state mental hospital as part of a wider study of young suicide attempters’ unmet needs. Her account revealed much about her life history, suicide career, problems of living, needs for help, & perceptions of relevant systems. An expectation of not […]

This study investigated the relationship between suicide attempts and a history of sexual abuse. Sexually abused suicide attempters had shown more suicidal behaviour in the past than non-sexually abused counterparts, and were characterized by a more severe problem history. It is concluded that within a goup of female suicide attempters, those with a history of […]

This article describes “The Trial” by Franz Kafka. The book is about a limitless bureaucracy & one man’s helplessness to fight against it. The article also describes Kafka’s home life, in which he was dominated by his overbearing father, was frequently depressed & often attempted suicide. With his writing, his usual pattern was to spend […]

This article outlines 5 crisis intervention strategies to address learned helplessness patterns. The authors recommend: having the suicidal person sign a written contract, manipulation of the individual’s environment, having the client chart self-defeating thoughts & images, examinination of the individual’s ability to express anger in a socially acceptable manner, and giving the person the message […]

The author argues that psychotherapy for aged & other suicidal patients must rest on a careful formulation of the subject’s specific narcissistic incapacity. The therapist must begin with a careful scrutiny of the subject’s history & then must determine the present risk. Treatment must often commence on the inpatient unit & involve medication or electroshock […]

This proceeding compares suicide attempts & substance abuse. Women attempt suicide more often than men, while men abuse drugs & alcohol more freqeuntly. However, suicide attempters& substance abusers are similiar psychologically since they are typically dysphoric, feel helpless, despairing, & have low self-esteem. The author suggests that these 2 behaviors are gender-socialized, equivalent forms of […]

Discusses the concept of borderline, or indirect, suicide as a passive form of behavior resulting in death. Suggesting that it is death as the eventual outcome of a self-fulfilling prophecy, the author says indirect suicide is based on lack of self-protection &/or self-care rather than a conscious effort to cause one’s own death. 4 refs. […]

In this presentation Shneidman takes a psychological theoretical approach to the problem of suicide & its treatment. He discusses 10 commonalities of every serious suicide e.g. psychological pain, blocked needs, hopelessness, helplessness, constriction, egression, communication of intention & attempts to give some visual imagery to this concept with his cubic model. To prevent suicide, you […]

Evidence suggests that an important antecedent of somatic or psychic disease is a giving up reaction, which has 2 forms: the person must give up a source of gratification, creating feelings of helplessness, or he is unable to satisfy his own standards, creating hopelessness. These experiences are associated with transitions between life stages, how one […]

This author asserts that there are 10 characteristics that form a psychological chart of suicidal terrain: unendurable psychological pain, frustrated psychological needs, the search for a solution, an attempt to end consciousness, helplessness & hopelessness, constriction of options, ambivalence, communication of intent, departure, lifelong coping patterns. These 10 characteristics are said to form a deadly […]

This paper examined the behaviors of 27 incest victims (12-18 yrs) to show how these behaviors are self-destructive & how the victim’s understanding can be used in therapy. Findings show that subjects responded to the incest experience with substance abuse, suicide attempts, perfectionism, isolation, or depression. It is suggested that when therapists view such behaviors […]

This controlled study searched for links between early family adversity & recent interpersonal stress for patients who have attempted suicide. The pattern of early exposure to neglectful & overprotective parenting followed by recent conflict or separation in adulthood was found to discriminate most clearly between the subject & control group. Factors such aslow self-esteem, a […]

The author presents an overview of current short and long term intervention strategies aimed at remediating learned helplessness and depression in women.

The author discusses reactive depression, particularly as it is observed in adolescents examined are antecedent conditions, related personal characteristics, consequent conditions associated with depressive reactions. The author also provides guidelines for the classroom-based treatment of depressive reactions. The importance of assertiveness training & raising self-esteem are emphasized. 32 ref.

A. Camus’ allegorical novel, “The Plague”, provides meaningful insight into the process of death & dying. Camus employs the reactions & responses of a community & its citizenry to an epidemic of the bubonic plague as a symbolic representation of the individuals grappling with death & dying. His main themes are those of separation & […]

Dawn Bray discusses patients who are suicidal risks with a view to identification, intervention & treatment. She stresses the importance of giving the patient realistic hope, not allowing him to be alone, being firm with questions & guidance, & following up on any change in behavior of a definite nature. NBB

After Martha Evans had several heart attacks, a bed, a chair, & an oxygen tank became the boundaries of her world. Feeling depressed & hopeless, she attempted suicide. This month’s Nursing Grand Rounds panelists tell how a patient-centered, self-care emphasis helped Martha overcome her fears & learn how to live a productive life despite her […]

The author illustrates the concept of illusionary power as a reaction to suicidal death. He emphasizes the importance of being able to accept that death is irrevocable & that the person cannot be brought back, & therefore to give up one’s illusionary sense of power. A counsellor can help by encouraging the bereaved to concentrate […]

Based on the author’s experience & on psychoanalytic theory, the psychologies of suicide & adolescence are compared. These psychologies, & the psychotherapy of suicidal adolescents, are dealt with under headings of object loss, loneliness, hopelessness & helplessness. Although adolescents are concerned with object loss, they have a need to become independent of objects. Loneliness, helplessness, […]

Possible reasons why some terminally ill patients develop suicidal tendencies are discussed in this paper. Three such patients are described and the author suggests how, by addressing the patients’ needs to feel an increased sense of mastery over their circumstances, the risk of suicide can be decreased.