Vulnerability to Suicide (IN: Suicide Risk the Formulation of Clinical Judgment, ed. by J T Maltsberger)

The author presents several case histories to illustrate vulnerability to suicide primarily from a developmental, psychoanalytical perspective. Maltsberger examines the reasons why self-regulatory structures fail to develop in some individuals. In the absence of these defences, the individual turns to sustaining resources–other people, pets, religion, reliance on work–& if these resources are lost, a suicidal crisis may occur. (NBB)