Citation

Briggs S, Goldblatt MJ, Lindner R, Maltsberger JT, Fiedler G. Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy 2012; 26(1): 13-33.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Association for Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in the National Health Service)

DOI

10.1080/02668734.2011.652657

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this paper we explore the relationship between trauma and suicidal thoughts and behaviour. This exploration has a double perspective: a deeper understanding of trauma can illuminate the dynamics of suicidality; and the psychotherapeutic study of suicidal people increases our understanding of the impact of trauma. This discussion addresses three particular configurations: (a) the impact on the individual of the suicide of a close person; (b) the traumatic dimension of suicidal behaviour on the self; and (c) the impact of childhood traumatic experiences on the subsequent development of suicide. We describe the psychotherapy of a suicidal man, who had suffered many losses including that of his mother to suicide, as the basis for commentary by three discussants. The paper concludes that the approach linking trauma with suicide is a fruitful one and further study is recommended.