Year: 1995 Source: Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, v.25, no.3, (Fall 1995), p.415-421 SIEC No: 19950361

This case shows how a patient’s psychopathology can set caregivers against each other & promote suicide. Mark Rothko, the New York abstract expressionist painter was under the care of 3 doctors at the time of his suicide in 1970. Polypharmacy & confusion over medications were continual problems. This article describes the circumstances of the case & provides case comments by 2 physicians. With respect to treatment, it is noted that addressing his alcoholism should have been the highest priority.