Year: 1973 Source: International Journal of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, v.2, no.3, (August 1973), p.338-363 SIEC No: 19850415

The author discusses the relationship between cerebral injury & psychopathology, within a psychoanalytical frame of reference. Although the risk of suicide in OBS patients is greatest in the early stages when ego functions are sufficiently intact to act upon self-destructive urges, older patients with advanced disease are also at risk. Suicide may result when physical symptoms are extreme conflict with the patient’s established personality & their life defense mechanisms no longer functions.