Clinical observations of play of hospitalized suicidal children.

Overview

This paper emphasizes the usefulness of play observation for diagnosis, treatment, and understanding suicidal behavior of children. Predictive indicators of play for potential suicidal behavior are themes of separation and loss, repetition of dangerous and reckless behavior, misuse and destruction of toys, and repetitive acting out of omnipotent fantasies. The selection of a suicidal method is partly derived from unconscious motivations that are illustrated in play themes. This study revealed a characteristic suicidal technique of latency age children seems to be jumping from heights.