Resource Tag: PSYCHODYNAMICS

This paper contrasts the lived experience of suicidality with the academic & professional discipline of suicidology to show that an identifiable ‘spirituality gap’ exists between the lived experience of mental health difficulties & the professional expertise of mental health practitioners, arising from a scientific commitment to objective knowledge that denies subjective knowledge, therefore excluding spirituality. […]

The aim of this study was to examine the correlates of suicidal behaviour among 64 adolescents (ages 13-17 years) & 62 young adults (ages 18-35 years) within a psychiatric inpatient setting. The authors investigated the influence of impairment in general self-regulation, including specific behavioural dysregulation, on suicidal behaviour within these two groups. Results indicated that […]

The authors describe a patient at acute suicide risk. His Rorschach protocol was analyzed using Exner’s Comprehensive System & a number of psychoanalytic scales. The results pointed at a predominance of borderline defences, identification with abusers & victims, symbiotic & violent interpersonal relations, self-fragmentation, & intertwined dynamics of suicide & pedophilia. His suicide dynamics consist […]

For the original article by Hendin, please see SIEC #1991-1242.

This article presents additional views of domestic homicide-suicide by men to complement traditional psychopathological & evolutionary psychological approaches. Applications of theories from social, developmental, gender role, & family violence psychology are outlined. These conceptualizations are offered because they pertain to instability & deconstruction of the self amidst the life changes & intimate distress that precede […]

This qualitative study explored the experience & long-term impact of child sexual abuse by female perpetrators, based on in-depth interviews with 14 adult victims (7 men, 7 women). The majority of participants reported that the experience of female-perpetrated sexual abuse was harmful & damaging, resulting in long-term difficulties with substance abuse, self-injury, suicidality, depression, rage, […]

For the full book, please see SIEC #2005-0874

Published in “Back to the Future: Refocusing the Image of Suicide,” ed. by J L McIntosh

Published in “Back to the Future: Refocusing the Image of Suicide,” ed. by J L McIntosh

The purpose of the present paper is to suggest that the suicide of Ellen West, which was argued by Binswanger (1958) to have been the correct & necessary path for her to take, might more correctly be viewed as a case of psychic homicide. The author explores what this phenomenon is, & how it pertains […]

The authors present a review of the current trends in the literature in different fields of adolescent suicide today. Special emphasis is given to psychopathology & its relationship with suicide, epidemiology, suicide prevention, & therapeutical issues. (19 refs)

It is argued that bodily experiences & attitudes toward the body in suicidal individuals, such as rejection of the body, detachment, numbness, physical anhedonia, & lack of protection, can facilitate acts of self-destruction. This argument is supported by theories of developmental psychology, theories on suicide, & empirical data. It is demonstrated that suicidal individuals experience […]

This article presents the proceedings of the Erikson Institute Fall Conference, which took place at the Austen Riggs Center in October 2002. Overviews of the Conference’s presentations & workshops on psychotherapy with suicidal patients are presented.

In an article written before the Columbine incident, the authors explore the relationship between mass murder & suicide, arguing that in cases of mass murder committed by adults, the offender often kills him or herself, whereas in cases of mass murder perpetrated by juveniles, suicide is not a factor. A typology of mass murderers is […]

This paper discusses psychodynamic perspectives of the conceptualization & treatment of suicidal patients. A review of psychoanalytic & psychodynamic perspectives is provided, along with representative case examples of these phenomena. Empirical studies are also reviewed, noting how recent research provides some meaningful insight into the object relations of suicidal patients. Finally, treatment issues are discussed. […]

This article describes the case of a 22-year-old American male of Indian ancestry & a senior at a prestigious university who has been in psychotherapy since March 2001 after a suicide attempt. The article describes the course of treatment. The paper ends with insights provided by 3 consultants who examined the case. (13 refs)

Examples of recent cases of martyrs are examined in order to identify the basic issues of whether martyrdom can be viewed as altruistic suicide. Several issues are identified: whom does the act have to benefit, must the act have its intended consequences or is the intent sufficient, does the martyr have to be thinking rationally, […]

Published in “Suicide Risk & Protective Factors in the New Millennium,” ed. by O T Grad

Published in “Suicide Risk & Protective Factors in the New Millennium,” ed. by O T Grad

This research investigated the associations among suicide criteria & empirically relevant, psychological variables, & their relative statistical importance. For a sample of 235 male prison inmate volunteers, 3 key findings emerged: 1) internal perterbation-based reasons for attempting suicide statistically predicted each suicide criterion; 2) these reasons often outperformed hopelessness in predicting suicide criteria; 3) associations […]

This article presents a study of four key psychodynamic concepts (self-directed aggression, object loss, ego functioning disturbance, and pathological object relations) of suicidal behavior. Results support an object-rational view of suicidal behavior. Attempters of suicide were found to be significantly more likely to report a history of childhood loss combined with a recent loss in […]

This article describes evidence of denial & acceptance of death in suicidal individuals & their relatives. Case studies are included.

This article presents the psychodynamic & developmental theories & processes underlying borderline & narcissistc personalities. Several theories are discussed & differential diagnosis of the many pathologies is stressed. A number of treatment techniques are reviewed, as are the roles of transference & countertransference in work with patients. To illustrate both borderline & narcissistic traits, the […]