[When the patient chooses death. One's own patient's suicide--a trauma for the physician]

Patient suicide is one of the most stressful events that can occur during the professional life of the psychiatrist. International studies suggest that every other psychiatrist will have at least one patient who commits suicide. The author provides a personal account of her reaction to one patient's death. The somewhat limited literature on psychiatrists' reactions to suicide is reviewed. One third of those who experience suicide in a patient in their own care may develop low mood, sleep disturbance or irritability in the weeks that follow. The author discusses why suicide can have such a profound effect on the psychiatrist. As young doctors are more prone to stress reactions following suicide, training programs should prepare them for this event. Informal support from colleagues and team members can mitigate the doctor's reactions in the aftermath.