Citation

Spittler JF. Nervenheilkd. 2006; 25(10): 855-860.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/s-0038-1626791

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Two patients were accompanied on their way to on assisted suicide. In another patient supporting his intention was suspended. The grounds of their decision can be distinguished into A: ostensible arguments, B: grounding reasons, C: early imprinting influences and D: peristatic conditions. As ostensible arguments (A) the patients overtly complained about their impairments, disabilities and pain, but behind these the grounding reasons (B) were the loss of a gist in their lives, the loss of hope for a partnership or an occupational vocation, the loss of self-esteem, autonomy and dignity. Imprinting influences (C) could be found in early violations of their self-esteem and losses of near relatives. Demotivating peristatic conditions (D) could be found from the unwillingness to accept further being cared for. Outside the familial context the impersonal and incapacitating institutional care was feared. If one looks to the side of the society, reasons and motives for their reactions could result from an evolutionary old, biological and archetypal social drive to survive and from the frustration of the drive to care. In a personal encounter those willing to commit suicide can be given accompaniment and shelter - the sorrow about the loss remains with the living.

Language: de

Keywords

human; psychotherapy; assisted suicide; review; Reasons; human relation; self concept; patient attitude; Assisted suicide; self esteem; Motives; employment status; Pre-suicidol evolution