Diagnosis and Management of Suicidal Behavior

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Abstract
The present discussion examines a number of elements which seem to be involved in suicidal behavior. Despite the various situational and personality determinants which may contribute to suicidal behavior, it was noted that many clinicians attribute this self-destructive pattern to depression and often administer the prescribed treatment, i.e., antidepressant medications and psychotherapy. It was suggested that because suicidal behavior is so maladaptive and because such action represents a conspicuous dislocation with reality, i.e., a circumscribed thought disorder in which the danger of irreversible injury is ignored, treating the unmanageable part of the personality with antipsychotic medications might help control the behavior and reduce the likelihood of potential lethality. Once the psychotic component is sufficiently arrested and suicidal behavior has been controlled, the patient may be more amenable to intensive diagnostic assessment and eventually to psychotherapy.

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