Evaluation and treatment of patients with suicidal ideation

Suicidal ideation is more common than completed suicide. Most persons who commit suicide have a psychiatric disorder at the time of death. Because many patients with psychiatric disorders are seen by family physicians and other primary care practitioners rather than by psychiatrists, it is important that these practitioners recognize the signs and symptoms of the psychiatric disorders (particularly alcohol abuse and major depression) that are associated with suicide. Although most patients with suicidal ideation do not ultimately commit suicide, the extent of suicidal ideation must be determined, including the presence of a suicide plan and the patient's means to commit suicide.     

Interpersonal problem solving and parasuicide

This study examined the relationship between interpersonal problem solving and suicidal behavior among psychiatric patients. Subjects were 123 psychiatric inpatients, admitted for current parasuicide, serious suicide ideation, or non-suicide-related complaints. A group of 16 orthopedic surgery patients was included to control for hospitalization trauma and current stress. All subjects completed a revised version of the Means-End Problem Solving Procedure, the Rathus Assertiveness Schedule, and a suicide expectancy measure. Psychiatric patients scored lower than the medical control group on the assertive schedule, but no differences were noted as a function of suicidal behavior status. Psychiatric patients expected suicide to solve problems more than did controls. Suicidal patients had higher expectancies than did nonsuicidal patients. Active interpersonal problem solving did not distinguish suicidal and nonsuicidal psychiatric patients but did separate parasuicides from suicide ideators. Among patients without a parasuicide history, less active and greater passive problem solving discriminated first-time parasuicides from suicide ideators and nonsuicidals. Results suggest that assertion deficits may characterize the psychiatric population in general, but suicidal behavior within psychiatric patients may be related to lower active problem solving.This research was supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grant NIMH No. 5 ROI MH34486-03 to Marsha M. Linehan.     

单相抑郁症患者自杀行为遗传效应及其遗传方式的研究

背景遗传因素在抑郁症自杀行为的发生中占有一定的地位,以往的关注的重点主要为双相抑郁自杀的遗传效应,单相抑郁症自杀行为的遗传方式和遗传效应有何特征?目的探讨单相抑郁症自杀行为的遗传效应及遗传方式.设计回顾性调查.单位一所市级精神卫生中心.对象单相抑郁症组(n=115)为1983-06-01/2002-05-31无锡市精神卫生中心门诊和住院诊断为抑郁症的患者.诊断均符合中国精神障碍分类与诊断标准第3版抑郁发作及美国精神障碍诊断与统计手册第4版重性抑郁发作标准,且抑郁发作次数≥3次或发作一两次已缓解≥8年者.方法以符合入组标准的单相抑郁症患者为先证者,由2名主治医师及其以上医师对每一家系进行调查,填写自行编制的精神病家系调查表,内容主要包括患者及一级亲属所有成员社会人口学资料、疾病发作特点及次数、以往治疗及自杀情况.由2名主治医师或以上医师对每一患者进行再诊断,并由1名主任医师核查,一致确诊的病例则予入组.对所有现存活的先症者(107例)及一级亲属中有自杀行为者(14例)进行面检;对无自杀行为的一级亲属(337名)进行面检和信函调查(380名);死亡者(患者8例,一级亲属5例)的资料由一两名一级亲属提供有关情况填写调查表.对照组由2名研究者进行面检,同时询问一级亲属情况并填写家系调查表.对所得资料行单因素分析,用多基因阈值理论Falconer模式估算自杀行为的遗传率和标准误,用医学遗传数学方法中分离分析法和多基因阈值理论进行遗传方式的探讨.主要观察指标单相抑郁症患者自杀行为的遗传效应和遗传方式.结果单相抑郁症患者自杀危险性51.30%(59/115)较其一级亲属2.58%(19/736)高(x2=283.16,P＜0.01),单相抑郁症患者一级亲属自杀危险性2.58%(19/736)较对照组0.12%(3/2469)高(x2=50.36,P＜0.01),有自杀行为患者的一级亲属自杀危险性3.8%(14/372)较无自杀行为患者的一级亲属自杀危险性1.4%(5/363)高(x2=4.14,P＜0.05).单相抑郁症自杀行为的加权平均遗传率及标准误为(70.16±0.79)%;多基因遗传方式验证显示,多基因遗传方式验证显示一级亲属自杀行为预期发病率为3.1%,实际发病率为2.6%,两者差异无显著性意义(u=0.766,P＞0.05).结论单相抑郁症自杀行为有明显的遗传效应,其遗传方式符合多基因遗传.     

La filière de soin des suicidants aux urgences

In France, a suicide attempt is recorded every 40 seconds, and a death by suicide occurs every 40 minutes. Suicide is the primary cause of mortality in people aged between 15 and 45 years. Suicidal tendencies have been identified as a major public health issue since the 1990s. Mental illnesses (including depression, schizophrenia, and addictions) as well as any personal and family history of suicidal behaviour are major risk factors. Identification and treatment of people in a suicide crisis and/or making a suicide attempt can help prevent repeated suicide attempts. Recommendations for good practice make a hospital, and in particular the emergency departments, a requisite location where a multidisciplinary approach is available. This leads to the need to organize a care process from reception to guidance based on an evaluation in three steps: physical, psychological, and social. The implementation of hospital care and/or intensive outpatient follow-up needs to be adjusted to match each situation. Training general practitioners in detection and treatment of suicidal patients and/or those suffering from depression is critical. Training is also necessary for teams in the emergency departments and in the crisis services with specialisation in handling suicidal adolescents or elderly people in some of them. The emergency wards are also, in a large number of cases, the first place of contact with a psychiatric. The quality of welcoming initial cares, relationships between the nursing staff and carers within the hospital and between the downstream organisations will determine to what extent the patients being treated will continue their treatment, will ensure the continuity of care, and will help to prevent repeated attempts.     

不同性别双相情感障碍患者发生自杀行为的临床特征比较研究

目的:研究双相情感障碍患者自杀行为相关因素的性别差异。方法:依据ICD-10诊断标准入组有自杀行为的双相情感障碍患者1739例和无自杀行为的双相情感障碍患者3713例,进行不同性别间各项目的比较分析,通过Logistic回归分析男、女性双相情感障碍患者自杀行为相关的危险因素。结果:男、女性伴自杀行为双相情感障碍患者在年龄、婚姻状况、职业、吸烟史、饮酒史、重大精神创伤史、入院次数等方面差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。男性伴自杀行为患者较无自杀行为者年龄更大、已婚者更多、独生子女较少、较多家族自杀史、家族精神异常史、既往自杀史,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。女性伴自杀行为者较无自杀行为者年龄更大、较多饮酒史、重大精神创伤史、家族自杀史、既往自杀史,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。Logistic回归分析显示,女性患者的重大精神创伤、家族自杀史、既往自杀史与发生自杀行为相关(P<0.05)。男性患者的既往有自杀史与发生自杀行为相关(P<0.01)。结论:男、女性双相情感障碍患者的自杀行为危险因素存在一定差异,区别化对待其危险因素对预防自杀有重要意义。     

Do suicidal ideation and behaviour influence duration of psychiatric hospitalization?

Suicidal ideation and behaviour are sometimes considered to be manipulative, with the intention of escaping from intolerable situations leading to prolonged hospitalization. The present study examined the length of hospitalization of those who had attempted suicide or had suicidal ideation compared to non-suicidal patients, as measured by the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales in two private psychiatric hospitals. Suicidal patients had a significantly shorter length of hospitalization, despite their significantly greater degree of psychiatric morbidity. Results indicated that it is erroneous to preclude inpatient care for those who are suicidal on the assumption that it will promote prolonged hospitalization.     

Suicidality and mood disorders in psychiatric emergency patients: Results from SBQ-R

Patients with mood disorders are at high risk of suicidality, and emergency departments (ED) are essential in the management of this risk. This study aims to (1) describe the suicidal thoughts and behaviours of patients with mood disorders who come to ED; (2) assess the psychometric properties of the Suicidal Behaviours Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) in a psychiatric ED; and (3) determine the best predictors of suicidality for these patients. A total of 300 participants with mood disorders recruited for the Signature Bank of the Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal (IUSMM) were retained. Suicidality was assessed using the SBQ-R. Other clinical and demographic details were recorded. Bivariate analyses, correlations and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. SBQ-R's internal consistency, construct and convergent validities were also tested. In the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), 53.3% of the sample stated they had suicidal or self-harm thoughts in the last 2 weeks. The mean score obtained at the SBQ-R was 8.3. Multivariate analysis found that SBQ-R scores were associated with depressive symptoms and substance use, especially alcohol, accounting for 44.3% of the model variance. Cronbach's alpha was 0.81 [0.78, 0.84] and factor loadings for items 1–4 were 0.68, 0.88, 0.54, and 0.85, respectively. The confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the model fit the data well. The SBQ-R is a brief and valid instrument that can easily be used in busy emergency departments to assess suicide risk. Depressive symptoms and alcohol use shall also be assessed, as they are determinants of increased risk of suicidality.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and suicidal behavior

Studies of the neurobiology of suicidal behavior have become an important and integral part of psychiatric research. Over the past several years, studies of the role of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathophysiology of suicidality have attracted significant interest of researchers. Multiple lines of evidence including studies of levels of BDNF in blood cells and plasma of suicidal patients, postmortem brain studies in suicidal subjects with or without depression, and genetic association studies linking BDNF to suicide suggest that suicidal behavior may be associated with a decrease in BDNF functioning. Studies of the BDNF function are important for suicide research and prevention because of the multiple reasons including the following: (i) BDNF plays a role in the pathophysiology of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders and other conditions associated with suicidal behavior. Treatment-induced enhancements of BDNF can facilitate neural integrity and recovery of function in psychiatric disorders, and consequently prevent suicidal behavior; (ii) abnormal BDNF function may be associated with elevated suicidality independently of psychiatric diagnoses. It is possible that treatment-induced improvement in the BDNF function prevents suicidal behavior independently of improvement in psychiatric disorders; (iii) BDNF may be a biological marker of suicidal behavior in certain patient populations. It is to be hoped that the studies of the neurobiology of suicidal behavior will lead to the development of new methods of suicide prevention.     

A concept analysis of suicidal behavior

Suicidal behavior is a significant global public health problem. Despite this, many health care professionals remain unaware of the distinction among suicidal behavior, self‐mutilation, and deliberate self‐harm. The aim of this study was to conduct a concept analysis of suicidal behavior. Method: Walker and Avant's 8‐step method of concept analysis was used to examine the concept of suicidal behavior. Sources for analysis were identified using a systematic search of Medline, CINAHL, ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source, and the reference lists of related journal articles. Results: Suicidal behavior was found to be associated with a constellation of external hazards and internal crises, lack of coping mechanisms and social support structures, and degree of suicidal intent, which, in the worst‐case scenario, results in successful suicide. The antecedents of suicidal behavior are vulnerability characteristics that make painful events seem unbearable, and the consequences are death or failed suicide. In cases of failure, the medical consequences may be serious and long lasting. Conclusions: Defining the concept of suicidal behavior provides a basis for public health nurses to better understand suicidal behavior, thus improving their ability to care for suicidal patients during home visits.     

Thoughts of death and suicidal ideation in nonpsychiatric human immunodeficiency virus seropositive individuals

The present study examines the prevalence of death thoughts and suicidality in HIV infection. Subjects (n = 246) were examined for psychiatric morbidity and suicidality. Compared to high risk HIV seronegatives, HIV seropositives (HIV +) had significantly increased frequency and severity of both suicidal ideation and death thoughts. Two-thirds of seropositives had suicidal ideation at some point; half of the seropositives reported suicide plans and one quarter suicide attempts; and third of seropositives reported current suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation did not increase with advancing disease. The high prevalence of suicidal ideation suggests inclusion of its assessment in HIV treatment regardless of stage.     

Epilepsy and depression: risk factors for suicide?

Compared to the general population, the suicide rate in epilepsy is 5-fold increased. In particular, patients with temporal lobe epilepsy have a 25-fold increased risk of suicide. Certain psychiatric disorders, including primary mood disorders, also increase the risk for suicide. Among people with epilepsy, psychiatric comorbidity is common, with an elevated rate of Major Depression. A review of the literature about the association between epilepsy, depression and suicide highlights the lack of evaluation of intensity, pervasiveness and characteristics of suicidal ideation in epileptic patients compared with patients with a diagnosis of Major Depression.     

Thoughts of Death and Suicidal Ideation in Nonpsychiatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus Seropositive Individuals

The present study examines the prevalence of death thoughts and suicidality in HIV infection. Subjects (n = 246) were examined for psychiatric morbidity and suicidality. Compared to high risk HIV seronegatives, HIV seropositives (HIV +) had significantly increased frequency and severity of both suicidal ideation and death thoughts. Two-thirds of seropositives had suicidal ideation at some point; half of the seropositives reported suicide plans and one quarter suicide attempts; and third of seropositives reported current suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation did not increase with advancing disease. The high prevalence of suicidal ideation suggests inclusion of its assessment in HIV treatment regardless of stage.     

Suicidal ideation in outpatients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: an exploratory study of the role of sleep onset insomnia and pain intensity

OBJECTIVES: Sleep disturbance, depression, and heightened risk of suicide are among the most clinically significant sequelae of chronic pain. While sleep disturbance is associated with suicidality in patients with major depression and is a significant independent predictor of completed suicide in psychiatric patients, it is not known whether sleep disturbance is associated with suicidal behavior in chronic pain. This exploratory study evaluates the importance of insomnia in discriminating suicidal ideation in chronic pain relative to depression severity and other pain-related factors. METHODS: Fifty-one outpatients with non-cancer chronic pain were recruited. Subjects completed a pain and sleep survey, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Multidimensional Pain Inventory. Subjects were classified as "suicidal ideators" or "non-ideators" based on their responses to BDI-Item 9 (Suicide). Bivariate analyses and multivariate discriminant function analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Twenty-four percent reported suicidal ideation (without intent). Suicidal ideators endorsed higher levels of: sleep onset insomnia, pain intensity, medication usage, pain-related interference, affective distress, and depressive symptoms (P < 0.03). These 6 variables were entered into stepwise discriminant function analyses. Two variables predicted group membership: Sleep Onset Insomnia Severity and Pain Intensity, respectively. The discriminant function correctly classified 84.3% of the cases (P < 0.0001). DISCUSSION: Chronic pain patients who self-reported severe and frequent initial insomnia with concomitant daytime dysfunction and high pain intensity were more likely to report passive suicidal ideation, independent from the effects of depression severity. Future research aimed at determining whether sleep disturbance is a modifiable risk factor for suicidal ideation in chronic pain is warranted.     

Literature-based Recommendations for Suicide Assessment in the Emergency Department: A Review

Background

Suicidal ideation and attempted suicide are important presenting complaints in the Emergency Department (ED). The Joint Commission established a National Patient Safety Goal that requires screening for suicidal ideation to identify patients at risk for suicide.

Objectives

Given the emphasis on screening for suicidal ideation in the general hospital and ED, it is important for Emergency Physicians to be able to understand and perform suicide risk assessment.

Methods

A review of literature was conducted using PubMed to determine important elements of suicide assessment in adults, ages 18 years and over, in the ED. Four typical ED cases are presented and the assessment of suicide risk in each case is discussed.

Results

The goal of an ED evaluation is to appropriately determine which patients are at lowest suicide risk, and which patients are at higher or indeterminate risk such that psychiatry consultation is warranted while the patient is in the ED. Emergency clinicians should estimate this risk by taking into account baseline risk factors, such as previous suicide attempts, as well as acute risk factors, such as the presence of a suicide plan.

Conclusion

Although a brief screening of suicide risk in the ED does not have the sensitivity to accurately determine which patients are at highest risk of suicide after leaving the ED, patients at lowest risk may be identified. In these low-risk patients, psychiatric holds and real-time psychiatric consultation while in the ED may not be needed, facilitating more expeditious dispositions from the ED.     

Suicide in sexual minority populations: A systematic review of evidence-based studies

Sexual minority populations are exposed to more forms of distress than heterosexual individuals, thereby increasing the risk of suicidal behavior. It therefore seems surprising that suicidal behavior in sexual minorities is not sufficiently addressed in the nursing literature.The aim of this review was to integrate evidence-based knowledge and experiences related to suicide in sexual minorities into the nursing literature. This study has been conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, which contains a basic systematic screening process. Fourteen articles met the research criteria. The evaluation encompassed 4 themes: 1) Suicide attempts; 2) Thoughts of suicide; 3) Suicide attempts and completed suicide; 4) Suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts. Most studies focused on the dimensions of attempted suicide. The key finding was that young people in sexual minority groups exhibit more suicidal ideation, more suicide attempts and are more at risk of completed suicide than heterosexual individuals. Family-centered care for young people can therefore be one of the basic principles of nursing practice. Nurses can routinely ask adolescents about their sexual orientation and identity to provide appropriate assessment and care. Additionally, nurses can use educational, counseling, case manager and therapist roles to avoid negative experiences such as homophobia, stigmatization and the discrimination of sexual minorities.     

Assessing suicide risk in stroke patients: review of two cases

Poststroke depression can be accompanied by suicidal ideation, yet reports of suicide among stroke patients are rare. When untreated, depression can become prolonged and severe. Risk factors for suicide include depression, severe insomnia, chronic illness, and organic brain syndrome. Early clinical assessment of suicide risk factors is essential in the rehabilitation setting. Two patients who developed mood disturbances in the acute poststroke period and eventually committed suicide are presented. Neither patient openly expressed suicidal thoughts to staff or family members. Retrospective analysis of medical records was compared to established suicide risk factors reported in the medical literature. Indirect verbal cues and nonverbal behavior patterns indicating potential suicide risk may have been present. Strategies for evaluation and management of suicidal behavior are discussed. These cases emphasize the need for early assessment of suicide risk by the entire rehabilitation team.     

Attempted suicide. Evaluation of a case in an emergency department

Suicide is conscious behavior leading to self-destruction. The intention to die is always present and the consequent death will be caused by the suicide victim. The main causes of suicide are mood disorders and particularly depression, although certain personality features (low self-esteem, hopelessness, introversion, neuroticism, etc.) and stress are considered to be predisposing factors. Suicidal behavior is therefore a routine part of emergency psychiatry. Consequently, evaluation of the parasuicidal patient is fundamental in emergency departments due to the potential seriousness of the phenomenon and the increase in the frequency of this type of behavior. Furthermore, evaluation is essential to provide a more optimal therapeutic approach and appropriate referral and to improve treatment compliance. Nursing interventions require specific care plans that allow patients to express themselves openly and to be met with an uncritical and empathetic response in order to improve their self-confidence and ability to cope with problems and reduce anxiety.     

How Illegal Drug Use,Alcohol Use,Tobacco Use,and Depressive Symptoms Affect Adolescent Suicidal Ideation: A Secondary Analysis of the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

The purpose of this study was to identify the major risk factors among adolescents who have either contemplated or attempted suicide. Along with successful suicides, suicide attempts and contemplation are coexisting factors that are prominent in the adolescent population and therefore warrant major concern. A secondary data analysis of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was completed to explore the factors that may influence adolescents’ thoughts or actions about suicidal behavior. The YRBS represents high-school students throughout 50 states. Nine questions from the YRBS were used to elicit information about the relationships among the risk factors: (1) Suicidal thoughts and attempts; (2) illegal drug use; (3) alcohol use; (4) tobacco use; and (5) depressive symptoms. Statistically significant relationships among the risk factors were found for adolescents. Adolescents considered suicide (15.8%); attempted suicide at least once (7.8%); were injured while attempting suicide (n = 2.7%). Our findings support the idea that illegal substance use can lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. Depression had a positive relationship with suicidal ideations, supporting similar studies suggesting that depression leads to suicidal action.