**** Despondants Behavioural Profile *** Subject: Despondents Date: Thu, 19 Sep 1996 00:00:18 -0700 (PDT) From: Monica Granbois To: sar-l@IslandNet.com Hi, I have a question about despondents, which I hope someone can answer. Among the behavioral characteristics listed for a despondent are: -often seeking solitude -maintained they were not lost - merely getting away to think -felt intruded upon -some avoided being found Detectability: Not responsive to searchers - feel it is an intrusion upon their solitude. I was wondering how a searcher approachs a despondent subject. Since a despondent may view a searcher as an intruder, is it likely the subject may try to run if found. If he/she does bolt what should the searcher do? However, if the subject has been found does this mean he/she wanted to be found (i.e. not trying to evade searchers) and so would not run? I was also wonder if it is likely that a subject may see the searcher as a threat, and act violently? I have not seen any literature dealing with how to approach a despondent subject, and was wondering if there was a procedureto do so, or if this is generally not a problem. Thank you. -Monica- "Of course I'm not lost," Belgarath retorted. "I just haven't pinpointed exactly where we are at the moment." "Belgarath that's what the word lost means." -Belgarath & Silk, King of The Murgos Subject: Re: Despondents Date: Thu, 19 Sep 1996 14:06:47 SAST-2 From: "Lance Michell" To: sar-l@islandnet.com Monica's question about dispondents is interesting and does not have easy answers. Having a mountain in the middle of a city means that we are quite frequently involved in searches for people with psychological problems. My personal and anecdotal comments: The term "Despondents" covers a variety of different behaviours and not all follow the pattern described in the manual. The main categories are: 1) Severely depressed potential suicides. Usually found dead. Jump or take medication. Sometimes copy a previous incident that has had publicity. 2) Attempted suicides who haven't quite plucked up the courage or want to make a serious gesture ("cry for help"). Sometimes respond to calls. May want to be found. Passive and depressed. Some are at high risk for future successful suicide. 3) Severely deranged, psychotic persons. High risk of injuring themselves. Out of touch with reality. May try to evade searchers. 4) Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs often associated with antisocial behaviour. May try to evade searchers - often return on their own. Don't appreciate being rescued but not usually aggressive. Severely depressed persons usually don't go far or put a lot of physical effort into a suicide attempt but we had have two recent cases of persons who were keen hikers who have gone considerable distances. Approaching persons found: a) First approach by trained councellor/doctor if possible. Use information gained from family, friends, therapist during the search planning. b) Technique: Gentle, slow, calm and casual but be firm if necessary. c) Show caring and concern. Call person by name. Say how glad you are to have found them. Show concern by attending to physical needs - warm clothing, food etc. d) Best not to have relatives and friends involved in initial contact (They are sometimes part of the problem) e) We have never had to sedate but have appropriate drugs available. f) Protect from the media g) Ensure on-going psychological care We have never been threatened or encountered aggression. Hope this helps. Lance Michell Mountain Club of South Africa Cape Town ********************************************************************** Dr W L Michell Tel (Office) -27-21-4043290 Head: Surgical Intensive Care (Home) -27-21-6866273 Groote Schuur Hospital Page -21-4049111 Pager 0080 Observatory Fax -27-21-4486461 7925 SOUTH AFRICA E-Mail wmichell@uctgsh1.uct.ac.za **********************************************************************