Tolerance for physical pain in suicidal subjects

Author(s): Palgi, Y., Stein, D., Hareven, D., Lotempeleg, M., Asherov, J., Elizur, A.

Journal/Book: Death Stud. 1996; 20: 1900 Frost Road, Suite 101, Bristol, PA 19007-1598. Hemisphere Publ Corp. 327-341.

Abstract: This study investigated the tolerance for physical pain in suicidal subjects. Suicidal, psychiatric nonsuicidial, and normal young males and females were administered pain measures including electric shocks, appraisal of shocks, and a measure of thermal pain. Additional study variables included diagnosis, past suicide attempts, severity of intent, and length of hospitalization. Suicidal individuals showed higher tolerance for pain and appraised the pain as less intense than the other groups, regardless of diagnosis, length of hospitalization, and motivation to participate in the study. These findings were explained as a result of dissociative processes inherent in the development of suicidal tendencies and in terms of pain management strategies.

Note: Article I Orbach, Bar Ilan Univ, Dept Psychol, IL-52900 Ramat GaN, Israel

Keyword(s): BORDERLINE PERSONALITY-DISORDER; SELF-INJURIOUS PATIENTS; ADOLESCENTS; PERCEPTION; BEHAVIOR

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