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

Dr. Maltsberger claims suicidal crisis can be expected to occur in patients who lack the necessary structure to protect themselves from the intolerable affect of self-destructive behavior–aloneness, self-contempt, murderous hate– & must rely on sustaining resources outside themselves to maintain equilibrium. He illustrates the development of crises in several case studies, explaining patients’ reactions in light of their loss of a sustaining resource. (NBB)