Clinical Observations of Suicidal Behavior in a Neurotic, a Borderline, and a Psychotic Child: Common Processes of Symptom Formation

This paper illustrates the characteristics of suicidal behaviour in 3 psychiatrically hospitalized children (6-12 yrs.), with neurotic, borderline, & psychotic disorders. It is suggested that the nature of suicidal fantasies & the mode of ego functioning associated with suicidal behaviour in these disorders is similar, but other differences in the fantasies & ego functioning also exist. A hypothetical mode of how suicidal behaviour in children develops and clinical implications are discussed.