Jack Klott – Suicide & Self-Harm: Stopping the Pain

Outline

The Guiding Principles

Research on Suicide and Research Limitations

• Research on numbers/methods/treatment
• Limitations of a “psychological autopsy”
• No causality in research

The Neurobiological Basis of Suicide

Who Is At Risk?

• Mental Disorders
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma
  • Psychosis
  • Addictions
  • Personality Disorders
  • Other DSM-5® Considerations
• Social Stress Factors
  • Adults Factors
  • Adolescent Factors
  • Childhood Factors
• Psychological Vulnerabilities
  • Performance Anxiety
  • Emotional Constriction
  • Defenseless Personality
• Adaptive Suicide Protectors
• Maladaptive Suicide Protectors
• Fueling Emotions to Suicide and Self-Harm

Non Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI) – The Self-Harming Population

• All Behaviors are Purposeful!
• Relief from:
  • Dissociative Conditions
  • Self-Hate
  • Emotional Constriction
  • Psychosis
  • Anxiety and/or Depression
  • Loneliness, Isolation, Abandonment, Rejection

The Suicidal Population

• Suicide Rehearsal – The Seventh Goal of NSSI
• The Ideator
• Suicide Threats for Secondary Gain
• The Attempter/Completer

Assessment of Risk

• When to Hospitalize the Ideator
• Six Week Warning Signs for the Suicide Completer
• Six Day Warning Signs for the Suicide Completer

Treatment Considerations for NSSI and Suicidal Populations

• Identify the Locus of Pain
• Empathic Regard
• Provided Alternatives
• The Role of Motivation
  • Reasons For Living
  • The Continuous Hope Providing Relationship
• Mindfulness
• Relationship Effectiveness
  • Opening Up Your Emotional Door
• Emotional Regulation
  • The Safety Plan
  • The Crisis Plan
• Avoid “Contracts”

The Therapist as a Survivor of Suicide