A study was conducted in which five older adolescents who had attempted suicide were interviewed about their experience of being suicidal & their life experiences prior to being in a suicidal state of mind. One underlying theme common to the experience of all participants was their desire for, but lack of, personal connection & inability to communicate with others. Repeated failure at effective communication often created an environment in which withdrawal from others seemed necessary as a protective mechanism. Prior experience seemed to indicate major change was impossible & that future effort was futile. Suicide was seen to be the only way to end this cycle.