The detection of psychiatric illness by questionnaire

Suicidal behavior is a major problem worldwide and, at the same time, has received relatively little empirical attention. This relative lack of empirical attention may be due in part to a relative absence of theory development regarding suicidal behavior. The current article presents the interpersonal theory of suicidal behavior. We propose that the most dangerous form of suicidal desire is caused by the simultaneous presence of two interpersonal constructs—thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness (and hopelessness about these states)—and further that the capability to engage in suicidal behavior is separate from the desire to engage in suicidal behavior. According to the theory, the capability for suicidal behavior emerges, via habituation and opponent processes, in response to repeated exposure to physically painful and/or fear-inducing experiences. In the current article, the theory’s hypotheses are more precisely delineated than in previous presentations (Joiner, 2005), with the aim of inviting scientific inquiry and potential falsification of the theory’s hypotheses.

/pdf/the-interpersonal-theory-of-suicide-38t99pb95m.pdf

The Interpersonal Theory of Suicide

Background General population survey data are presented on the lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts as well as transition probabilities to onset of ideation, plans among ideators, and attempts among ideators either with or without a plan. Risk factors for these transitions are also studied. Methods Data are from part II of the National Comorbidity Survey, a nationally representative survey carried out from 1990 to 1992 in a sample of 5877 respondents aged 15 to 54 years to study prevalences and correlates of DSM-III-R disorders. Transitions are estimated using life-table analysis. Risk factors are examined using survival analysis. Results Of the respondents, 13.5% reported lifetime ideation, 3.9% a plan, and 4.6% an attempt. Cumulative probabilities were 34% for the transition from ideation to a plan, 72% from a plan to an attempt, and 26% from ideation to an unplanned attempt. About 90% of unplanned and 60% of planned first attempts occurred within 1 year of the onset of ideation. All significant risk factors (female, previously married, age less than 25 years, in a recent cohort, poorly educated, and having 1 or more of the DSM-III-R disorders assessed in the survey) were more strongly related to ideation than to progression from ideation to a plan or an attempt. Conclusions Prevention efforts should focus on planned attempts because of the rapid onset and unpredictability of unplanned attempts. More research is needed on the determinants of unplanned attempts.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/articlepdf/205075/yoa8303.pdf

Prevalence of and risk factors for lifetime suicide attempts in the National Comorbidity Survey.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are major public health problems that have not declined appreciably in several decades. One of the first steps to improving the prevention and treatment of STBs is to establish risk factors (i.e., longitudinal predictors). To provide a summary of current knowledge about risk factors, we conducted a meta-analysis of studies that have attempted to longitudinally predict a specific STB-related outcome. This included 365 studies (3,428 total risk factor effect sizes) from the past 50 years. The present random-effects meta-analysis produced several unexpected findings: across odds ratio, hazard ratio, and diagnostic accuracy analyses, prediction was only slightly better than chance for all outcomes; no broad category or subcategory accurately predicted far above chance levels; predictive ability has not improved across 50 years of research; studies rarely examined the combined effect of multiple risk factors; risk factors have been homogenous over time, with 5 broad categories accounting for nearly 80% of all risk factor tests; and the average study was nearly 10 years long, but longer studies did not produce better prediction. The homogeneity of existing research means that the present meta-analysis could only speak to STB risk factor associations within very narrow methodological limits-limits that have not allowed for tests that approximate most STB theories. The present meta-analysis accordingly highlights several fundamental changes needed in future studies. In particular, these findings suggest the need for a shift in focus from risk factors to machine learning-based risk algorithms. (PsycINFO Database Record

Risk factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors: A meta-analysis of 50 years of research.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex, serious psychiatric disorder characterized by pervasive instability in regulation of emotion, self-image, interpersonal relationships, and impulse control.1 BPD is the most prevalent personality disorder in clinical settings and is associated with severe functional impairment, substantial treatment utilization, and high rates of mortality by suicide.2–5 Clinical studies have also shown BPD to be highly comorbid with most substance use, mood, anxiety, and other personality disorders (PDs).6–12

Although BPD is among the most frequently studied PDs in clinical settings, little is known about its prevalence, correlates, disability, and comorbidity in general population samples. Several earlier community studies13–27 of BPD were limited by selection of small samples (n=133–799) not entirely representative of the general population. Others preselected individuals from larger general population samples based on responses to PD screening instruments or psychopathology,15,19,20,24 further limiting the size of the survey samples on which to base prevalence estimates. Of the 2 larger-scale epidemiologic surveys, the one conducted in Norway28 (n = 2,053) was compromised by a low response rate (57%), and the Australian survey29 (n=10,641) used a PD screening measure rather than a diagnostic assessment instrument to assess PDs. Because of these limitations, very little is known about the sociodemographic characteristics, disability, and comorbidity of BPD with other psychiatric disorders. The 1 study that presented data on disorder-specific comorbidity19 did not control for other comorbid disorders, thereby precluding analysis of common and unique factors underlying disorder-specific associations with BPD.

The lack of comprehensive and detailed information on DSM-IV BPD in the United States represents a gap in our knowledge relevant to prevention, treatment, and economic costs. The present study was designed to address this gap using data from the 2004–2005 Wave 2 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC).30 The Wave 2 NESARC covered DSM-IV alcohol and specific drug use disorders, and mood and anxiety disorders assessed in the 2001–2002 Wave 1 NESARC,31, 32 in addition to BPD, schizotypal and narcissistic PDs, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The remaining DSM-IV PDs (avoidant, dependent, obsessive-compulsive, paranoid, schizoid, histrionic, and antisocial), were assessed in the Wave 1 NESARC. The sample size and high response rate of the Wave 2 NESARC allow for reliable and precise estimation of lifetime prevalence of BPD, especially among important sociodemographic subgroups of the population. Furthermore, comorbidity of BPD with each Axis I and II disorder was examined while controlling for both sociodemographic characteristics and additional psychiatric disorders to determine the unique relationship of each specific disorder to BPD. The importance of controlling for other disorders that are highly comorbid with one another represents an advance in our understanding of comorbidity recently highlighted in the epidemiologic literature.33, 34 This study also provides information on mental and physical disability associated with BPD. Because so little is known about sex differences in BPD, information on correlates, disability and comorbidity of BPD is presented for the total sample and by sex.

/pdf/prevalence-correlates-disability-and-comorbidity-of-dsm-iv-499oogcryf.pdf

Prevalence, correlates, disability, and comorbidity of DSM-IV narcissistic personality disorder: results from the wave 2 national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions.

OBJECTIVE: Attempted suicide is the strongest known predictor of completed suicide. However, suicide risk declines over time after an attempt, and it is unclear how long the risk persists. Risk estimates are almost exclusively based on studies of less than 10 years of follow-up. METHOD: The authors followed a cohort of 100 consecutive self-poisoned patients in Helsinki in 1963, for whom forensically classified causes of death during the following 37 years were investigated. RESULTS: They found that suicides continued to accumulate almost four decades after the index suicide attempt. CONCLUSIONS: A history of a suicide attempt by self-poisoning indicates suicide risk over the entire adult lifetime.

Completed Suicide After a Suicide Attempt: A 37-Year Follow-Up Study

Objective To determine the risk of suicide over a 14-year follow-up period, and to investigate the long-term risk factors for suicide using survival analysis. Method Data were collected on all unselected deliberate self-poisoning patients (n=1018) treated during 1983 in the emergency unit of Helsinki University Central Hospital. Results By the end of the 14 -year follow-up period 222 (21.7%) of these patients had died. Sixty-eight (6.7%) had committed suicide; 44 (9.2%) men and 24 (4.5%) women. The long-term risk factors for suicide were male sex, previous psychiatric treatment, previous suicide attempts, somatic disease and a self-reported 'wish to die' motive for the index suicide attempt. Conclusion The essential risk factors for suicide were being male and having previous suicide attempts. In addition, history of earlier psychiatric treatment, presence of somatic disease and genuine intent to die in the index suicide attempt suggest that the long-term risk has remained high for over a decade. The findings emphasize the need for long-term planning and treatment of suicide attempters met in the emergency room of general hospitals.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1034/j.1600-0447.2001.00243.x

Long-term risk factors for suicide mortality after attempted suicide--findings of a 14-year follow-up study.

The present study examined the prevalence and comorbidity of mental disorders according to DSM-III-R among male and female suicide attempters. A systematic sample of 114 patients from consecutive cases of attempted suicide referred to a general hospital in Helsinki between 1 January and 31 July 1990 was interviewed. In 98% of the cases at least one Axis I diagnosis was made. Depressive syndromes were more common among females (85%) than males (64%), and alcohol dependence was more common among males (64%) than females (21%). A high proportion of suicide attempters (82%) suffered from comorbid mental disorders. Comorbidity appears to play an important role in parasuicide.

Mental disorders and comorbidity in attempted suicide

Objective Few studies have investigated the prevalence of and risk factors for suicidal ideation and attempts among representative samples of psychiatric patients with bipolar I and II disorders. Method In the Jorvi Bipolar Study (JoBS), psychiatric inpatients and outpatients were screened for bipolar disorders with the Mood Disorder Questionnaire from January 1, 2002, to February 28, 2003. According to Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM-IV Axis I and II Disorders, 191 patients were diagnosed with bipolar disorders (bipolar I, N = 90; bipolar II, N = 101). Suicidal ideation was measured using the Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Prevalence of and risk factors for ideation and attempts were investigated. Results During the current episode, 39 (20%) of the patients had attempted suicide and 116 (61%) had suicidal ideation; all attempters also reported ideation. During their lifetime, 80% of patients (N = 152) had had suicidal behavior and 51% (N = 98) had attempted suicide. In nominal regression models, severity of depressive episode and hopelessness were independent risk factors for suicidal ideation, and hopelessness, comorbid personality disorder, and previous suicide attempt were independent risk factors for suicide attempts. There were no differences in prevalence of suicidal behavior between bipolar I and II disorder; the risk factors were overlapping but not identical. Conclusion Over their lifetime, the vast majority (80%) of psychiatric patients with bipolar disorders have either suicidal ideation or ideation plus suicide attempts. Depression and hopelessness, comorbidity, and preceding suicidal behavior are key indicators of risk. The prevalence of suicidal behavior in bipolar I and II disorders is similar, but the risk factors for it may differ somewhat between the two.

Suicidal Ideation and Attempts in Bipolar I and II Disorders

Neuroimaging has revealed robust large-scale patterns of high neuronal activity in the human brain in the classical eyes-closed wakeful rest condition, pointing to the presence of a baseline of sustained endogenous processing in the absence of stimulus-driven neuronal activity. This baseline state has been shown to differ in major depressive disorder. More recently, several studies have documented that despite having a complex temporal structure, baseline oscillatory activity is characterized by persistent autocorrelations for tens of seconds that are highly replicable within and across subjects. The functional significance of these long-range temporal correlations has remained unknown. We recorded neuromagnetic activity in patients with a major depressive disorder and in healthy control subjects during eyes-closed wakeful rest and quantified the long-range temporal correlations in the amplitude fluctuations of different frequency bands. We found that temporal correlations in the theta-frequency band (3-7 Hz) were almost absent in the 5-100 s time range in the patients but prominent in the control subjects. The magnitude of temporal correlations over the left temporocentral region predicted the severity of depression in the patients. These data indicate that long-range temporal correlations in theta oscillations are a salient characteristic of the healthy human brain and may have diagnostic potential in psychiatric disorders. We propose a link between the abnormal temporal structure of theta oscillations in the depressive patients and the systems-level impairments of limbic-cortical networks that have been identified in recent anatomical and functional studies of patients with major depressive disorder.

https://www.jneurosci.org/content/jneuro/25/44/10131.full.pdf

Kirsi Suominen

Papers

Completed Suicide After a Suicide Attempt: A 37-Year Follow-Up Study

Long-term risk factors for suicide mortality after attempted suicide--findings of a 14-year follow-up study.

Mental disorders and comorbidity in attempted suicide

Suicidal Ideation and Attempts in Bipolar I and II Disorders

Breakdown of Long-Range Temporal Correlations in Theta Oscillations in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder