When a Psychiatry Resident’s Patient Commits Suicide: Transference Trials and Tribulations

This paper examines the activation of transference reactions & transference enactments on the part of both a resident & a residency training director following a patient’s suicide death. The author argues that such transference responses offer invaluable opportunities for self-observation, psychological introspection, & personal growth, & the failure of many current psychiatric trainees to undergo persoanl intensive psychotherapy is identified as a major obstacle to turning such potentially destructive experiences into learning & growth opportunities. (27 refs)