In a comparison of thirty-three pairs of genuine and faked suicide notes, the authors find that the genuine notes showed a marked avoidance of the word suicide, of the proposed suicidal method, or of any anxiety connected with the act. They discuss 'the inhibition of dread at the prospect of suicide' as being one condition necessary to suicide, and call into question such anxiety-allaying practices as reassurance and support or the administration of tranquilizing drugs to potentially suicidal patients.