ABSTRACT
In a recent case description, Maltsberger (2000) presents what might be considered a typical example of how an existential vacuum may lead to suicidal behavior. Mansur, a 30-year-old man, came to therapy with a chronic wish to end his life. His therapist (Sabinofsky in Maltsberger, 2000) could not detect any pathology of depression or any other diagnosis beyond the high degree of hopelessness displayed by the patient. No distinct trauma, past or present, could be identified, nor could the patient’s symptoms be linked to familial dysfunction. In addition, Mansur was not responding to any medication prescribed for him. In fact, the sole edifice of Mansur’s suicidal inclination was the reason Mansur had voluntarily presented, that he was obsessed with his failure to find meaning, not only in his own life, but also in the entire cosmic system.
