Patients’ experiences in the aftermath of suicidal crises

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of being suicidal and the encounter with health care personnel. The research question was, ‘How did the suicidal patient perceive the encounter with health care personnel?’ Data were collected, analysed and interpreted using a hermeneutic approach. Qualitative research interviews were used to collect data. Participants included10 people: 4 women and 6 men aged 21-52 years. With the exception of one person, they had all experienced one or more suicide attempts. The study requires ethical considerations in planning, interviews as well as in the analysis process. Through a thematic analysis, three key themes emerged: (a) experiencing and not experiencing openness and trust, (b) being met and not met by someone who addresses the matter, and (c) being met on equal terms versus being humiliated. Results in this study may indicate a lack of willingness and courage to listen to what the suicidal person says and to trust him or he

Crucial resources to strengthen the desire to live: Experiences of suicidal patients

Background: Suicidality is a life-and-death struggle in deep loneliness and psychological pain. There is a lack of knowledge about what could help the suicidal patients’ struggle for continued life. The aim of this study was to develop a deeper understanding of suicidal patients in the aftermath of suicidal attempts. The research question was ‘What resources in the person himself or herself and his or her surroundings are crucial in a suicidal crisis to maintaining the will to live and hope for life’? Methodology: The study has a hermeneutic approach and an explorative design. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 10 participants: men and women 21–52 years of age. The context was two emergency psychiatric units and one crisis resolution team. Ethical considerations: The participants signed an informed consent before the interviews were conducted. Findings: This article presents three themes: (a) becoming aware of the desire to live, (b) an experience of connectedness and (c) someone who cares. Discussion: The suicidal person’s awareness of wishes, dreams, hopes and will, but also of their feelings in the aftermath of the suicide attempt, seemed to play a crucial role in a suicidal crisis. Experiences of connectedness remind the person of the responsibility in his or her own life and in the lives of others and seemed to strengthen the urge to go on. Private and professional relationships seem to be crucial in stimulating the desire and hope to go on living. Conclusion: Becoming aware of the desire to live, being connected to others and experiencing someone who cares is necessary for life. Both private and professional networks seemed to be important resources that could remind the suicidal person of his or her own dignity as part of being huma

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Mitochondrial physiology

As the knowledge base and importance of mitochondrial physiology to evolution, health and disease expands, the necessity for harmonizing the terminology concerning mitochondrial respiratory states and rates has become increasingly apparent. The chemiosmotic theory establishes the mechanism of energy transformation and coupling in oxidative phosphorylation. The unifying concept of the protonmotive force provides the framework for developing a consistent theoretical foundation of mitochondrial physiology and bioenergetics. We follow the latest SI guidelines and those of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) on terminology in physical chemistry, extended by considerations of open systems and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. The concept-driven constructive terminology incorporates the meaning of each quantity and aligns concepts and symbols with the nomenclature of classical bioenergetics. We endeavour to provide a balanced view of mitochondrial respiratory control and a critical discussion on reporting data of mitochondrial respiration in terms of metabolic flows and fluxes. Uniform standards for evaluation of respiratory states and rates will ultimately contribute to reproducibility between laboratories and thus support the development of data repositories of mitochondrial respiratory function in species, tissues, and cells. Clarity of concept and consistency of nomenclature facilitate effective transdisciplinary communication, education, and ultimately further discovery

Experiences that inspire hope: Perspectives of suicidal patients

Background: Suffering in a suicidal crisis includes feelings such as despair, loneliness, anxiety, fear, shame, guilt and hopelessness. This study highlights the experiences of patients in the aftermath of suicide attempts. The research question was, what do suicidal patients see as meaningful help in care and treatment situations? Methodology: The methodology is inspired by Gadamer’s hermeneutics, where the parts are understood in light of the whole, and the whole is understood in light of the parts. Qualitative interviews were employed. Participants and research context: A total of 10 persons, 4 women and 6 men 21–52 years old, were informed and asked to participate by specialists in psychology at two emergency psychiatric wards and by one crisis resolution team. Nine of the participants had experienced one or more suicide attempts using drugs and alcohol. Forced hospitalization prevented one of the 10 participants from attempting suicide. Ethical considerations: Before the participants signed an informed consent form, the interviewer met all participants to provide the written information, talking about the interview. A meeting to terminate contact was arranged after the participants had read their own interviews. Findings: Three themes were generated by the methodology we applied: (1) experiencing hope through encounters, (2) experiencing hope through the atmosphere of wisdom and (3) experiencing a ray of hope from taking back responsibility. Discussion: The findings are discussed in the light of Eriksson’s suffering theory and Lindstro ̈ m’s theory about psychiatric care, as well as earlier research and theories about suicidality. Conclusion: The study reinforces possibilities that hope in suicidal patients can be inspired in encounters with healthcare personnel and within caring cultures. Through dialogue and cooperation, patients’ safety and ability to cope with suffering is created and thereby the hope and will to struggle for life

Jeg ville dø, men er jo glad jeg lever - En studie av pasienters refleksjoner etter selvmordsforsøk

Artikkelen presenterer funn fra en studie hvor hensikten var å utforske pasienters erfaringer i etterkant av selvmordsforsøk. Forskningsspørsmålet var: Hva tenker personer om selvmordsforsøket de har gjennomført? Studien har anvendt Gadamers hermeneutikk. Datamaterialet er samlet inn gjennom forskningsintervjuer med ti deltagere i alderen 21 til 52 år, rekruttert fra to akuttpsykiatriske avdelinger og et ambulant akutteam. Gjennom tematisk fortolkning fremkom tre temaer: «ønsket om å avslutte lidelsen», «tanken på gjentagelse som både skremmende og forlokkende» og «selvmordsforsøket – reelt eller ‘bare’ et rop om hjelp?». Selvmordsforsøket kan forstås ulikt, sett innenfra eller utenfra. Forskning på erfaringer fra personer som har overlevd selvmordsforsøk er derfor essensielt for å utvikle en mest mulig helhetlig forståelse. Nøkkelord: selvmordsforsøk, livslidelse, pasienters erfaringer, hermeneutik

‘Embracing is the most important thing we can do’ – Caring for the family members of patients at risk of suicide

Aim: This study explores mental health personnel's experiences in the encounter with family members of patients at risk of suicide so as to develop a deeper understanding of the content of caring. Methodology: Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 12 participants and were analysed and interpreted using a model inspired by the philosophical hermeneutics of Gadamer. The context was psychiatric wards. Findings: Through a thematic analysis, four themes emerged: Acknowledgement as a premise for involving family members. Embracing with the family members’ feelings and reactions. Strengthening hope in a situation entailing a serious risk of suicide. Providing reassurance to family members in transitional situations. Conclusion: Witnessing the family members’ suffering and needs is understood as arousing a sense of responsibility in the participants and triggering various care strategies such as listening, embracing, strengthening hope and providing reassurance