Psychological interventions in suicide

Abstract

Psychological treatments targeting suicidal behavior disorder (SBD) have been evaluated here in their efficacy through different diagnoses. In particular, transference- focused psychotherapy (TFP), mentalization-based treatment (MBT), interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), schema-focused therapy (SFT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) were the main structured treatments considered here in association with their impact on SBD. Some of them showed higher efficacy in suicide (DBT and MBT). Moreover, some treatments have been primarily studied in a specific diagnosis: TFP, MBT, DBT, and SFT in borderline personality disorder and IPT and CBT in depression. Concerning new treatments, promising preliminary results have been reported (SFT, MBCT, MBSR, and ACT) as well. Summarizing, consistent reduction in suicidal and selfdestructive phenomena through psychotherapeutic treatments has been found throughout methodologically heterogeneous trials, in particular focused on DBT and MBT. In conclusion, two movies by the Italian documentarist/director Alina Marazzi have been illustrated in their connection with SBD.