[Phenomenology and psychodynamics of patients with so-called "hard" and "soft" methods of suicide. A comparison].

88 patients with "soft" and "hard" methods of suicide attempts are compared and described. The results show several differences between both groups of patients: (1) In the choice of a "soft" method painlessness played a superior role. Patients who had chosen a "hard" method were far less sensitive to pain, or the experience of pain had extensively faded. (2) Men with "hard" methods seemed to be more needy than men with "soft" methods. (3) Men and women of the "hard" group (preponderantly wrist cutters) showed a stronger and earlier beginning of conflict denial than patients of the "soft" group. Therefore, immediate crisis intervention seems to be especially indicated. (4) Attention should be drawn to the countertransfferance reactions of helpers in contact with patients who had employed different methods of suicide attempts.