Lost in translation: Art psychotherapy with patients presenting suicidal states

Abstract

This paper proposes that art therapy enables individuals to explore their destructive and murderous impulses through the use of art materials, in order to develop a better understanding of their internal disturbance. The phenomenon of suicide is discussed in relation to the psychoanalytic understanding of aggression and the psychodynamic practice of art therapy. The apparent lack of literature pertaining broadly to the theme of art therapy and suicide in the UK may indicate that clients do not take their own lives in treatment. Many suicide attempts go undetected as paradoxical states of mind may not be fully understood. Clinical practice with a patient diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder, who presented with suicidal ideations whilst detained in a medium secure setting and succeeded in committing suicide, is discussed in relation to the importance of the art therapy process, therapeutic relationship, role of the image and importance of supervision in recognising and identifying the presentation of pre-suicidal states.

Keywords:

• Suicide
• personality disorder
• paradox
• image
• acting out
• aggression

Acknowledgements

My indebted thanks to Clive Rothwell, husband and fellow Art Psychotherapist, without whose substantial contribution of knowledge, experience, support and patience this paper would not have been written.