Hypnosis as a deterrent to suicide.

Abstract

Abstract A method that has been found successful in temporarily deterring suicide attempts is to give the post-hypnotic suggestion that the patient will not be able to carry out an actual suicide attempt until he has discussed it with the psychiatrist, in advance of the attempt, and in the psychiatrist's office, and further, that the patient will agree to enter a trance at any time the psychiatrist insists, even though the patient may not wish to do so. The rationale for this approach is that, (a) A temporary deterrent is often all that is necessary to prevent a given suicide attempt, (b) Hypnosis can have only a temporary deterring effect on suicide, (c) A direct and permanent confrontation that he can never commit suicide would be bound to fail and would not promote therapy of the personality, and (d) It gives the patient an alternative to suicide.