An empirical study on the “cathartic effect” of attempted suicide

Praag, Herman van; Plutchik, Robert

doi:10.1016/0165-1781(85)90005-8

Cited by 61 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…According to this theory, after a suicide attempt, there is an immediate decline in the levels of suicidality and its correlates. Several studies mentioned earlier support this perspective, demonstrating a postsuicide attempt decline in some aspects of suicidality and its correlates (Kunitaka et al, 2005;Sarfati et al, 2003;Van Praag & Plutchik, 1985). In our study, attempters retrospectively rated their feelings immediately before and immediately after their suicide attempt.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

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Examining the Importance of Mental Pain and Physical Dissociation and the Fluid Nature of Suicidality in Young Suicide Attempters

2015

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This study evaluated the importance of distress (i.e., mental pain, tolerance of mental pain, and depression) and physical dissociation factors for a group of young suicide attempters. Analyses indicated that those with higher current suicidality also evidenced higher current levels of depression and mental pain, lower mental pain tolerance, and higher physical dissociation. However, no correlations between suicidality and distress or physical dissociation were found when the level of suicidality was based on the time of the suicide attempt. The results demonstrate the importance of mental pain and its tolerance as well as physical dissociation in assessing severity of suicidality. However, analyses suggest there might be a decline in suffering after a suicide attempt and highlight the importance of assessing current suicidality when evaluating relevant variables for suicide. Findings are interpreted with regard to theories relating to the fluctuating nature of suicidality. OMEGA-Journal of Death andDying 0(0) 1-15 ! The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

“…Based on Kunitaka et al's (2005) findings of a postsuicide attempt decline in suicidality and a decline in certain negative feelings (Sarfati et al, 2003;Van Praag & Plutchik, 1985), and the importance of mental pain in suicidality (e.g., Soumani et al, 2011), our hypotheses were as follows:…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

Examining the Importance of Mental Pain and Physical Dissociation and the Fluid Nature of Suicidality in Young Suicide Attempters

2015

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“…The potential for an SDT-or MIbased approach to increase depressed clients' engagement in treatment that may reduce suicide-related behavior or depression is an important line of research to pursue. We call for such research because individuals who are depressed and attempt suicide may experience a sudden improvement in their depressive symptoms (Bronisch, 1992;Davis, 1990;Jallade, Sarfati, & HardyBayle, 2005;Van Praag & Plutchik, 1985;Walker, Joiner, & Rudd, 2001). Such improvement, which may be dramatic and temporary (Watzlawick, Weakland, & Fisch, 1974), may create a window of opportunity that is particularly well suited to interventions that target clients' motivation and energy.…”

Section: Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Self‐determination theory, motivational interviewing, and the treatment of clients with acute suicidal ideation

2007

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An overwhelming number of individuals who die by suicide suffer from mental disorders, but comparatively few are seen in psychological or psychiatric treatment. Given the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in decreasing suicide-related behavior, the development of strategies to increase motivation for treatment is critical for clients with acute suicidal ideation. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) provides a framework for understanding how the therapeutic relationship can affect clients' motivation for treatment. When working with clients with serious suicidal ideation, clinicians can use the principles of SDT or interventions that are congruent with SDT, such as motivational interviewing (MI), to increase clients' engagement in treatment and improve treatment outcome. SDT-based suggestions and an adaptation of MI are introduced to guide clinicians through this process.

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“…In a pilot fMRI study with eight female subjects, mental pain triggering SB was associated with decreased prefrontal activity, whereas "planning and acting out suicidal impulses in response to mental pain" was related to increased activity in the frontal cortex, suggesting that SB reduces mental pain (Reisch et al, 2010). This cathartic effect can be explained by either emotional venting of an unbearable physical and/or emotional state (Jallade et al, 2005;van Praag and Plutchik, 1985), or mobilization of interpersonal support (e.g., caring family, medical attention) (Jallade et al, 2005;Walker et al, 2001). Indeed, SB can be used as a signaling (warning) strategy within the "bargaining model" of depression, which suggests that SB is a way to impose costs to the social group -family, friends, colleagues -where there is a conflict (Hagen, 2003).…”

Section: Putative Mechanisms Involved In the Development Of Addictionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Beck (1996) suggested that previous SB sensitizes suicidal thoughts and behaviors, such that they become more autonomous and easily precipitated. Self-aggression ameliorates the physical and emotional tension that precedes SB, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and painful emotions (i.e., hopelessness, emptiness) (Davis, 1990;Jallade, Sarfati, and Hardy-Bayle, 2005;Sarfati, Bouchaud, and Hardy-Bayle, 2003;van Praag and Plutchik, 1985;Walker et al, 2001). In a pilot fMRI study with eight female subjects, mental pain triggering SB was associated with decreased prefrontal activity, whereas "planning and acting out suicidal impulses in response to mental pain" was related to increased activity in the frontal cortex, suggesting that SB reduces mental pain (Reisch et al, 2010).…”

Section: Putative Mechanisms Involved In the Development Of Addictionmentioning

confidence: 99%

¿Están los grandes repetidores adictos a los comportamientos suicidas?

et al. 2014

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The literature provides support for the hypothesis that some major repeaters (individuals with ≥5 lifetime suicide attempts) are addicted to suicidal behavior (SB). This study explores whether major repeaters are addicted to SB or not using 7 criteria: tolerance (Criterion 1), withdrawal (Criterion 2), loss of control (Criterion 3), problems in quitting/cutting down (Criterion 4), much time spent using (Criterion 5), substantial reduction in activities (Criterion 6), and adverse physiological/physical consequences (Criterion 7). Total dependence on SB was indicated by the presence of 3 or more of the 7 criteria in the last 12 months. This cross-sectional study at Puerta de Hierro University Hospital (Madrid, Spain) recruited 118 suicide attempters including 8 major repeaters (7%, 8/118), who were all females. The association between each SB addiction criterion, physiological dependence and total dependence with major repeater status was tested for significance and for effect size with odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals. As hypothesized, major repeaters met significantly higher frequency of criteria for total dependence on SB, OR=62.9 (6.4-615). A backward stepwise logistic regression model was used to provide an OR between major repeater status and total dependence status corrected by confounding variables. Age, panic disorder without agoraphobia, borderline personality disorder, history of psychiatric inpatient admission, and total dependence on SB were introduced as independent variables with major repeater status as the dependent variable. The model selected total dependence and age as the remaining significant variables in the last step. Accordingly, major repeaters appear to be addicted to SB. Key words: major repeaters, suicidal behavior, addiction, borderline personality disorder. La escasa literatura existente sugiere que los "grandes repetidores" (individuos con 5 intentos de suicidio a lo largo de la vida) pueden ser considerados "adictos" a los comportamientos suicidas. Este estudio explora si los grandes repetidores sufren una adicción a los comportamientos suicidas usando 7 criterios: tolerancia (Criterio 1), abstinencia (Criterio 2), perdida de control (Criterio 3), problemas para dejar de tener o disminuir esos comportamientos (Criterio 4), uso de tiempo excesivo (Criterio 5), reducción importante de actividades (Criterio 6), y consecuencias físicas adversas (Criterio 7). La dependencia total a los comportamientos suicidas era diagnosticada si el sujeto cumplía 3 o más de los 7 criterios en los últimos 12 meses. Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado integramente en el Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro (Madrid, Spain), donde fueron recrutados 118 individuos que se presentaron en los servicios de urgencia por un intento de suicidio, incluyendo 8 grandes repetidores (7%, 8/118), siendo todos ellos mujeres. Se estimó si había asociaciones estadísticamente significativas y el tamaño del efecto con la razón de oportuniades y los intervalos de confianza (95%) entre cada un...

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An empirical study on the “cathartic effect” of attempted suicide

Cited by 61 publications

References 19 publications

Examining the Importance of Mental Pain and Physical Dissociation and the Fluid Nature of Suicidality in Young Suicide Attempters

Examining the Importance of Mental Pain and Physical Dissociation and the Fluid Nature of Suicidality in Young Suicide Attempters

Self‐determination theory, motivational interviewing, and the treatment of clients with acute suicidal ideation

¿Están los grandes repetidores adictos a los comportamientos suicidas?

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