Feelings experienced after previous suicide attempt by the individual and the reaction of close relatives or friends to previous attempt

Abstract

Introduction The feelings experienced after a suicide attempt by the individual and the reaction of close relatives or friends to attempt is important in designing preventive mechanisms. Objective To describe the experience of the patient after the previous suicide attempt and the reaction of close relatives or friends to the previous suicide attempt. Method From 668 presented with attempted suicides presented to National Hospital of Sri Lanka (April to December 2002), 300 were randomly selected and interviewed using a pretested questionnaire. Results Previous suicidal attempts were present in 29 (9.7%) out of total 300 attempted suicides. The feelings following the previous suicide attempt were as follows: 19 felt pity (65.5%), 16 felt embarrassed (55.2%), 13 felt ashamed (44.8%), 11 felt afraid (37.9%), 10 felt angry (34.5%), 4 felt released (13.8%) and 2 felt proud (6.9%). Regarding reaction of close relatives or friends to last attempt, 25 (86.2%) of patients felt that others showed pity for patient, 11 (45.8%) patients felt that some people showed understanding, 16 (57.1%) felt that no one showed anger or irritation, 21 (75%) felt that others did not show embarrassment or avoided them, 24 (85.7%) felt no body laughed at them, 23 (82.1%) felt others did not ignore them. Conclusion The feeling following the suicidal attempts was of shame and embarrassment. The close relatives or friends of attempted suicides do not show negative emotions.

Crucial resources to strengthen the desire to live

“…The interviewees who told someone in their environment about their suicidal thoughts and about a suicide attempt were mainly met with understanding and caring; this is in line with the findings of others. 15,20 A social attitude characterized by understanding suicidal thoughts as a normal reaction to unbearable psychological pain 2 will perhaps be able to encourage suicidal people to tell about their own pain in life and thereby feel that they are confirmed. Perceived moralizing or trivializing, however, may reduce the courage to share pain.…”

“…11 Shame is also an important phenomenon related to attempted suicide. 9,[12][13][14][15][16] Experiencing that one's attempted suicide is taken seriously and being shown respect and friendliness alleviated feelings of shame and helped patients to cope with the suffering and to accept professional help. 13 Being given time, being listened to without prejudice and experiencing mutual trust all appeared to be very significant for the patient's perception of being confirmed as a person.…”

“…19 Suicidal persons experienced the contact they had with psychiatric health services as helpful and the social network as supportive, to the extent that they spoke with friends or family about their feelings. 15,20 Suicidal persons experienced responsibility for persons close to them. 21,22 Three 'key factors' important for care and for the design of psychiatric health treatment emerged in an interview study in which 36 formerly suicidal young men participated: better assessment, expanded future-oriented follow-up and focus on strengthening young men's ability to meet challenges in terms of the future.…”