Does an attempted suicide actually have a cathartic effect?

It has been suggested in empirical studies that an attempted suicide has a cathartic effect. However, only one study used a control group of depressives who had not attempted suicide. A replication of these results using more strictly defined patient groups and a more comprehensive assessment of the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inActa psychiatrica Scandinavica Vol. 86; no. 3; p. 228
Main Author Bronisch, T
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.09.1992
Subjects
Adaptation, Psychological
Arousal
Catharsis
Combined Modality Therapy
Depressive Disorder - diagnosis
Depressive Disorder - psychology
Depressive Disorder - therapy
Female
Guilt
Hospitalization
Hostility
Humans
Life Change Events
Male
Personality Assessment
Personality Inventory
Psychoanalytic Therapy
Psychotherapy, Brief
Psychotherapy, Group
Shame
Suicide, Attempted - psychology
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Summary:It has been suggested in empirical studies that an attempted suicide has a cathartic effect. However, only one study used a control group of depressives who had not attempted suicide. A replication of these results using more strictly defined patient groups and a more comprehensive assessment of the psychopathology during index treatment was not possible. Major depressives with and without suicide attempts before index admission displayed similar courses of their depressive symptoms and somatic complaints during index treatment. The cathartic effect of a suicide attempt may be restricted to a severe major depression or to a violent suicide attempt.
ISSN:0001-690X
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1992.tb03257.x