A Personal Encounter with Deceit

Abstract

Many, if not most, suicides take place in a setting of impaired communication and, not infrequently gross deceit. Deception in this circumstance reflects both pragmatic concerns (i.e., revealing a suicidal plan typically impedes its execution) and the state of interpersonal isolation that often characterizes the suicidal mindset. At the same time, some suicidal individuals intentionally or unintentionally give cues regarding their intent. The Delphic comments of a seemingly well-adjusted middle-aged man, immediately prior to his suicide, illustrate a lost opportunity to communicate that launched the author on a lifelong study of deception in psychotherapy.