Citation

Firestone RW, Seiden RH. J. Coll. Stud. Psychother. 1990; 4(3-4): 101-124.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1300/J035v04n03_07

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The article contains an analysis of underlying cognitive processes that have been found to strongly influence an individual's movement toward self-destruction. Clinical material from a discussion with several young people illustrate significant signs of suicide abuse; (3) low self-esteem-negative attitudes toward self; (4) a sense of hopelessness and despair; (5) guilt reactions and psychological pain; and (6) a progressive withdrawal from relationships and favored activities. The self-disclosures of these adolescents provide a comprehensive view of a hostile thought process or "voice" that is a fundamental part of self-destructive tendencies existing, to varying degrees, in every individual. A chart depicting levels of increasing suicide intent, "The Continuum of Negative Thought Patterns," can be utilized to assess the suicidal potential in the individual student or patient. © 1990 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en