[Treating chronic suicidality involves taking risks].

Chronic suicidality in patients with borderline personality disorder differs substantially from acute suicidality and therefore requires a different approach. On the basis of a case study and a review of the literature, we argue that treatment should definitely involve the taking of short-term risks for the purpose of achieving long-term success. A thorough assessment of the pros and cons is however a prerequisite for this strategy and some precautions need to be taken.