Aftermath of a patient's suicide: a case study.
OBJECTIVE
Nurse psychotherapists often feel poorly prepared to cope with a patient's death by suicide. The psychotherapist may identify with the family, feel sad at the death, and be plagued by feelings of guilt and responsibility.


OBJECTIVE
A case study illustrates the meaning of the loss to the therapist and the influence on professional identity, self-confidence, and self-esteem.


METHODS
Case study and review of the literature from Medline, psychinfo, and CINAHL.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapists experience their own grief as a lack of omnipotence over suicide, and the fear of their colleagues' responses. Understanding bereavement and factors influencing bereavement may help therapists facilitate and reduce negative consequences of their own grief.
University of Southern California, USA. sharon.valente@med.va.gov
Sharon M
SM
Valente
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D001601:Bereavement; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention