ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the negative effects of hospitalization and the futility of treating patients with multiple forms of medication. Encouraging regression has been associated with the psychoanalytic model, as well with other forms of therapy in which patients are seen as needing some form of “reparenting”. The therapist communicates genuine concern but works to have the patient join in an exploration of what lies behind suicidality. A therapist who focuses on understanding patients without actively intervening in a crisis is working on a knife-edge. The therapist may face weeks to months during which a patient is continuously threatening suicide. Patients with chronic suicidality can be difficult and frightening. Tolerating chronic suicidality also implies that we need to accept a wide range of outcomes after treatment. Some patients who begin therapy with a picture of chronic suicidality make a complete recovery.
