Sections
Excerpt
If a patient has given up all hope and can see nothing in the future except pain and despair, suicide may seem like a reasonable choice. Because hopeless cognitions can have such intensely negative consequences, their validity should be challenged with all of the skill and creativity that the therapist can muster. If the therapist does not aim toward assisting the patient to modify these hopeless cognitions, a tacit validation of the beliefs may occur, and the therapy process may be undermined. When a patient believes that recovery is possible or likely, has genuine reasons to live, and can see possible solutions for problems, he may be able to tolerate extreme levels of depression without seriously considering self-harm (Wright et al. 2009).
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).
