Shneidman’s Psychological Pain Assessment Scale was administered to 88 psychiatric patients. Both current & worst-ever psychache were significantly higher in those patients judged by a psychiatrist, on the basis of a structured clinical interview, to be at risk of suicide. However, current & worst-ever psychache were not associated with having attempted suicide. Thus, for the present sample, the scale appears to more sensitive to current than past suicidality. Further, there are validity issues, with the need for multi-item measures & probably a multi-factor measure. (29 refs.)