Narcissistic Collusion in the Treatment of Adolescent Conduct Disorders Who Present with Parasuicide

Abstract

Conduct disorders are among the most prevalent disorders currently seen in adolescents and children. In addition there appears to be a sharp increase in parasuicide of all ages, but particularly among adolescents. It has been suggested that there may be a significant relationship between conduct disorders, adolescent parasuicides and our modern technocratic society. Recent research has also shown that a number of clinical sub-types of conduct disorders may be identified which enhance more effective treatment. The characterologically-determined sub-type, however, has always proven itself prognostically dubious in terms of establishing a therapeutic relationship for purposes of treatment. A modified psychotherapeutic technique is presented for establishing such a therapeutic relationship with characterologically-determined adolescent conduct disorders who have attempted suicide and who were seen in an acute therapeutic unit in a general hospital.