Abstract
Utilizing a case report, this paper explores psychosocial aspects of suicidal intent in a woman seeking prenatal diagnosis. Using knowledge and practice of appropriate assessment, referral, and intervention procedures, the therapy team of genetic counselor and psychotherapist facilitated successful identification and management of this potentially suicidal client. The main counseling goals for the genetic counselor are to assess the situation adequately, decrease the immediate danger, and, with supervision and/or consultation, stabilize the seriously suicidal person until that individual can be triaged to mental health or medical professionals for treatment. The prevalence of suicide issues in genetic counseling contexts is unknown and reports mentioning suicidal ideation unusual in the genetic counseling literature. Is this reported case a rarity among genetic counseling referrals? Systematically collected information on the prevalence and resolution of suicidal issues in genetic counseling contexts would be helpful for those setting curricula for genetic counseling training programs, standards for professional certification exams, and policy and procedures manuals for clinical units.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Ahmadi KS, Goethe, JW, Adams ML (1991) Suicidal behaviors among Connecticut youth.Conn Med 55(2):76–80.
American Psychiatric Association (1989)Diagnostic and Statistical manual, III Edition, Revised (DSM III-R). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Assoc.
Benkendorf JL, Callanan NP, Grobstein R, Schmerler S, Fitzgerald KT (1992) An explication of the NSGC Code of Ethics.J Gen Couns 1(1):31–39.
Bergman B, Brismar B (1991) Suicide attempts by battered wives.Acta Psychiat Scand (Denmark) 83(5):380–384.
Fawcett J, Clark DC, Scheftner WA (1991) The assessment and management of the suicidal patient.Psychiat Med 9(2):299–311.
Greene-Simonsen D, Peters JA (1992) A successful blending of genetic counseling and psychotherapy.Perspect Genet Counsel 14(2):5.
Hayden MR (1991) Invited editorial comment: Predictive testing for Huntington disease: Are we ready for widespread community implementation?Am J Med Genet 40:515–517.
Huggins M, Bloch M, Wiggins S,et al. (1992) Predictive testing for Huntington disease in Canada: Adverse effects and unexpected results in those receiving a decreased risk.Am J Med Genet 42:508–515.
Kaplan AG, Klein R (1989) Women and suicide: The cry for connection. In Jacobs D, Brown H (eds)Suicide: Understanding and Responding. Madison, CT: International Universities Press; (1990)Stone Center Working Papers. Stone Center, Wellesley College, MA.
Kessler S, Field T, Worth L, Mosbarger H (1987) Attitudes of persons at risk for Huntington disease toward predictive testing.Am J Med Genet 26:259–270.
NSGC Code of Ethics (1992)J Genet Counsel 1(1):41–43.
Remafedi G, Farrow JA, Deisher RW (1991) Risk factors for attempted suicide in gay and bisexual youth.Pediatrics 87(6):869–875.
Schutz BM (1990)Legal Liability in Psychotherapy. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.
Shneidman ES (1993) Commentary: Suicide as psychache.J Nerv Mental Dis 181(3):145–147.
Suicide Prevention and Crisis Intervention Service of Alameda County, PO Box 9102, Berkeley, CA 94709.
Truant GS, O'Reilly R, Donaldson L (1991) How psychiatrists weight risk factors when assessing suicide risk.Suicide Life Threat Behav 21(2):106–114.
Westreich L (1991) Assessing an adult patient's suicide risk. What primary care physicians need to know.Postgrad Med 90(4):59–62.
Wiggins S, Whyte P, Huggins M,et al. (1992) The psychological consequences of predictive testing for Huntington's disease.New Eng J Med 327(20):1401–1405.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Peters, J.A. Suicide prevention in the genetic counseling context. J Genet Counsel 3, 199–213 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01412227
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01412227