Related Experiment Videos
Pathological narcissism and sudden suicide-related collapse
E F Ronningstam1, J T Maltsberger
1Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior
|November 10, 1998
Summary
This study examined three young men admitted for psychiatric care after near-fatal self-injury. Findings suggest pathological narcissism and affect dysregulation are linked to suicidal behavior in nondepressed individuals.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Investigates character organization in nondepressed young men with self-injurious behavior.
- Examines affect-regulatory functions and pathological narcissism in relation to suicidal acts.
Observation:
- Three nondepressed young men admitted to psychiatric inpatient care after escaping self-injury were studied.
- Patients denied suicidal intent, depression, or acknowledgment of risk associated with their behavior.
- Stressors were consistently downplayed as triggers for the self-harming actions.
Findings:
- Identified defects in affect-regulatory functions and evidence of pathological narcissism.
- Highlighted a specific pattern of suicidal behavior linked to pathological narcissism in nondepressed individuals.
- Observed a denial of risk and downplaying of stressors by the patients involved.
Implications:
- Suggests pathological narcissism may play a role in specific suicidal behaviors.
- Offers insights for assessing suicide risk in nondepressed patient populations.
- Underscores the importance of exploring underlying character pathology in self-harm cases.