Resource Tag: SUICIDAL PERSONALITY

A general discussion of suicide & other forms of violent, destructive behavior. Distinctions are made between those who attempt & those who complete suicide.

Presented is an evaluation of attitudes toward life & death held by suicidal, chronically ill, & normal children. Measurements were obtained by means of the children’s qualitative responses to questions that followed fairy tale stories. Each story represented one of the 4 attitudes. Multiple & univariate analysis indicates that each of the 3 groups of […]

The author examines the dynamics of suicidal states in adolescents & presents guidelines for the treatment process. In developing a trusting relationship with this type of patient, factors such as hypersensitivity, impulsiveness & developmental processes must be taken into account. Dr. Motto makes some suggestions for the initial interview & provides 15 specific guidelines for […]

In recent years there has been a disturbing rise in the number of young people who attempt suicide & their problems present a serious challenge to our thinking about the adolescent within his family. There is increasing evidence in the psychiatric literature for the view that adolescent suicidal behaviour cannot be understood without careful consideration […]

The article presents the case histories of 2 women which illustrate how retreat to the outlived family cocoon can cripple an individual emotionally–in these 2 cases causing suicidal actions & fear of driving, respectively. A vicious circle of jealous rage against an immediate family member, followed by guilt over the jealous hostility, then self-punishment, is […]

Clues, risk indicators & practical assessment tools are reviewed. An Assessment of Suicide Potentiality Form is included. (NBB)

The old philosophy of suicide prevention in an institution was to regard this patient as a dangerous object, allow him no privileges & give him absolutely no opportunity to take his own life. However, with the progression toward the therapeutic community approach & a ward philosophy encouraging self-reliance & patient responsibility, the suicidal patient has […]

This article attempts to impress upon physicians the importance of questioning patients about suicide. The authors suggests appropriate interview techniques that are useful in evaluating & diagnosing the suicidal patient. Presence of psychiatric illness, absence of a suppport system & a history of indirect suicidal behavior are indications of a high suicide risk. (10 ref) […]

This study utilized a correlational design to assess the relationships between instrumental & expressive traits, future time perspective & suicidal intent. Predictions investigated were: that instrumental traits would constrict the suicidal person’s view of the future & expressive traits would enhance it; that the degree of suicide intent would be positively correlated with expressive traits; […]

The authors provide guidelines developed by the Alachua County Crisis Center of Gainesville, Florida, for dealing with chronically suicidal clients. The intervention model has 6 components, one of which is a support group for this type of client, who usually fits the diagnostic criteria of the borderline personality disorder.

2 case reports presented describe situations in which a patient presented in trauma due to an accident which masked a suicide attempt. Factors which obscure the suicide intent of an “accident” include a dangerous vocation, lifestyle, or hobby, & absence of overt depression. These factors may aid in the identification of & appropriate intervention methods […]

The author discusses a wide range of accidents & illustrates that many of these events are not “accidents” but the result of self destructive behaviors. She cites a common personality trait shared by the suicidal & the accident prone as an inability to adapt to stressful situations. (NBB)

This case history of a 37 year old male with an extensive history of psychiatric treatment illustrates the success of psychotherapy focusing on the positive dimensions of a patient’s personality. The therapist refused to become involved with his acting out behavior in everyday life, requiring only that he attend sessions regularly. This focus on here […]

The trend away from hospitalization of the emotionally disturbed patient has resulted in new challenges for nurses working in the community. This article deals with situations faced by the nurse in home visits, which the author states are a vital part of the total program for suicide prevention. Included are profiles of 6 categories of […]

A comprehensive article about the detection of suicidal intent. The author speaks about the difficulties encountered by the counsellor in attempting to help the client change negative patterns of thought & to counter feelings of hopelessness. (NBB)

This article is concerned with William Faulkner’s novel, SARTORIS. The central issue, discussed by the author, is whether or not Baynard, the central character, was intent upon killing himself in his risky pursuits or merely enjoyed the thrill of risk taking. (NBB)

An individual’s perception of time is highly personalized & subjective. Assuming that time orientation may be related to views about living & dying, its measures may differentiate etween suicidal & nonsuicidal people. Six measures of time perception were administered to 2 groups. One contained 15 psychiatric Ss who had attempted suicide; the other had 14 […]

Two death orientation measures were admimistered to a college student before & after his attempt to kll himself. Changes in the student’s view of himself & death are examined in terms of hypothesis regarding the collapse of the suicidal person’s construct system & as they portray the meaning of his/her self destructive act. Implications for […]

In certain patients, suicidality is not a symptom of another psychiatric disorder, but a central element of character structure. Treatment approaches that are effective in acute, symptomatic suicidal states may actually increase the long term suicide risk in such patients. Special treatment techniques are needed for patients with suicidal characterology.