An empirical study of the psychodynamics of suicide: A preliminary report

Preliminary results from a study of psychodynamic constructs are presented based on data from inpatients following a suicide attempt. The study examines the association between four psychodynamic constructs, severity of suicidal intent, and severity of depressive symptomatology in a sample of hospitalized suicide attempters. Higher levels of suicidal intent were associated with less differentiated self and object representations and less emotional investment in relationships. More severe depressive symptoms in suicide attempters were correlated with more self‐targeted anger; less eternally directed anger, higher levels of shame and guilt, more affectively negative views of relationships, greater use of maladaptive and self‐sacrificing defenses, and more impaired reality testing. These findings offer some preliminary empirical support for the validity of psychodynamic theories of suicidal behavior. Depression 4:89–91 (1996). © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106104/1/9_ftp.pd

Mechanisms of disease: in utero programming in the pathogenesis of hypertension

Nutritional and other environmental cues during development can permanently alter the structure, homeostatic systems, and functions of the body. This phenomenon has been referred to as 'programming'. Epidemiological and animal studies show that programmed effects operate within the normal range of growth and development, and influence the risk of chronic disease in adult life. We review the evidence that these effects include reduced nephron number and compensatory adaptations, which might lead to hypertension, and perhaps accelerate the decline in renal function that accompanies aging. These processes might be exacerbated by programmed changes in vascular structure and function, and alterations in endocrine and metabolic homeostasis. Programmed effects might be initiated as early as the periconceptual phase of development, and could involve epigenetic changes in gene expression or altered stem cell allocation. Better understanding of these processes could lead to the development of novel diagnostic and preventive measures, and to early detection of at-risk individuals. By monitoring blood pressure, weight, and renal function in children, it might be possible to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and renal disease in later life