Videotape Confrontation After Attempted Suicide
H. L. P. RESNIK M.D.1,
W. T. DAVISON M.D.2,
DEAN SCHUYLER M.D.3, , and
HM3 PETER CHRISTOPHER 4
1 Chief, Mental Health Emergencies Section, National Institute of Mental Health, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Md. 20852 and Consultant at the Naval Hospital, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md.
2 Instructor in Psychiatry, Georgetown University Medical School, Washington, D.C.
3 Research Grants Specialist, Clinical Research Branch, NIMH
4 Research Corpsman, Naval Hospital
The authors report a new treatment approach for suicide attempters in which the patient's condition, the measures taken to save his life, and the reactions of his family are recorded on videotape when the patient is brought to the emergency room. After psychotherapy has begun, the patient views the videotape. This method challenges the patient's denial of despair and suicidal intent by confronting him with the consequences of his suicidal behavior. The authors point out the potential usefulness of videotape confrontation for a broad spectrum of self-destructive patients.
