Assessment Of Suicidal Ideation Research Articles

Use of atomoxetine and suicidal ideation in children and adolescents: Results of an observational cohort study within general practice in England

AimTo investigate the association between atomoxetine, a drug used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and suicidal ideation, within a cohort of 2–18-year-old patients in England. MethodsThe study was conducted using the observational cohort technique of Modified prescription event monitoring (M-PEM). Patients prescribed atomoxetine were identified from dispensed prescriptions issued by primary care physicians. A customised postal GP questionnaire was used to capture outcome data for suicidal ideation. A matched pair cohort analysis was performed within patients to compare the risk of suicidal ideation in the period after starting atomoxetine with the risk prior to starting atomoxetine; this was stratified by age and concomitant use of methylphenidate. Additional information on patient characteristics, and events of interest was also collected; individual cases of suicidal ideation were qualitatively assessed for drug relatedness. ResultsOf the final cohort (n=4509); 85.5% male (n=3857), median age 11 years (IQR: 9,14). Primary prescribing indication for atomoxetine was ADHD (n=4261, 94.6%). Almost a quarter of the cohort had been co-prescribed methylphenidate. Results of the matched pair cohort analysis indicated that the period after starting atomoxetine was not associated with an increase in the incidence of suicidal ideation compared to the period prior to starting treatment (RR: 0.71; CI: 0.48–1.07; P-value: 0.104). Individual case assessment of suicidal ideation suggested a causal association within a number of cases. ConclusionsThis study found no evidence of an increased risk of suicidal ideation during treatment with atomoxetine, compared to the period prior to starting treatment. Amongst age specific subgroups, this risk may change. Nonetheless, individual case assessment suggested a causal relationship in some patients, hence physicians need to be aware of the possibility of developing this event, and furthermore consider how best to detect it in this paediatric population. This study demonstrates the importance of combining quantitative statistical analyses with a qualitative case series assessment.

6.4 Evidence-Based Assessment to Improve Assessment of Suicide Risk, Ideation, and Behavior

6.4 Evidence-Based Assessment to Improve Assessment of Suicide Risk, Ideation, and Behavior

Clinical correlates of suicidality among individuals with HIV infection and AIDS disease in Mbarara, Uganda

The association between suicidality and HIV/AIDS has been demonstrated for three decades, but little is know about risk factors that can help understand this association and help identify who is most at risk. Few research studies have been conducted in sub-Saharan Africa, a region that accounts for more than 70% of the HIV global burden. This paper describes clinical risk factors for suicidality among individuals with HIV infection and AIDS disease in Mbarara, Uganda. In this study, suicidality includes both suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 543 HIV-positive individuals aged 15 years and above, recruited from 2 HIV specialised clinics in Mbarara. Using logistic regression analysis, factors significantly associated with suicidality at 95% confidence interval were identified. The rate of suicidality was 10% (n = 54; 95% CI: 5.00–15.00). Risk factors for suicidality were: perception of poor physical health (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.23–3.99, p = 0.007), physical pain (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.01–3.30, p = 0.049), reducing work due to illness (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.23–3.99, p = 0.004) and recent HIV diagnosis (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03, p = 0.001). These findings suggest that HIV/AIDS in south-western Uganda is associated with a considerable burden of suicidality. HIV is associated with several clinical factors that increase vulnerability to suicidality. There is need for more appropriate interventions targeting these clinical risk factors, systematic suicide risk assessment and management of suicidal ideation and behaviours in HIV care.

A Preliminary Test of the Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide in Women Seeking Shelter From Intimate Partner Violence.

Women seeking shelter from intimate partner violence (IPV) are at greater risk of suicide ideation and attempts compared with women in the general population. A theoretically grounded understanding of suicide risk in shelter-seeking women is critical to improve assessment and management of suicide risk in this population. The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (IPTS) proposes that suicide ideation results from hopelessness about thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. However, suicide ideation does not progress to death by suicide unless one has acquired the capability for suicide (i.e., pain tolerance and fearlessness about death) via repeated exposure to painful and fearsome events. The present study provides a preliminary test of the IPTS in a sample of 134 women seeking shelter from IPV. First, we examined factors theoretically related to suicide ideation, demonstrating that only at high levels of hopelessness was perceived burdensomeness associated with suicide ideation. The study also examined factors theoretically related to the acquired capability for suicide (ACS), indicating that physical partner violence perpetration was associated with ACS. These findings suggest that perceived burdensomeness, particularly in the context of increased hopelessness, is important in the assessment and treatment of suicide ideation. Furthermore, violence perpetration may indicate greater risk of the capability to die by suicide among women seeking shelter from IPV.

Considerations in the Use of Interactive Voice Recording for the Temporal Assessment of Suicidal Ideation and Alcohol Use.

A greater understanding of the temporal variation of suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior is needed to inform more effective prevention efforts. Interactive voice recording (IVR) allows for the study of temporal relationships that cannot be captured with most traditional methodologies. To examine the feasibility of implementing IVR for the assessment of suicidal ideation. Participants (n = 4) receiving a brief intervention based on dialectical behavior therapy were asked to respond to three phone-based surveys each day over 6 weeks that assessed suicidal ideation and alcohol consumption. Participants completed 77.7% of daily assessments, reported that calls were not burdensome, and indicated that calls were sometimes helpful in interrupting suicidal ideation. The preliminary data reported here provide optimism for the use of IVR and other forms of ecological momentary assessment in the exploration of the antecedents of suicidal behavior.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Compared With Enhanced Usual Care for Adolescents With Repeated Suicidal and Self-Harming Behavior: Outcomes Over a One-Year Follow-Up

We conducted a 1-year prospective follow-up study of posttreatment clinical outcomes in adolescents with recent and repetitive self-harm who had been randomly allocated to receive 19 weeks of either dialectical behavior therapy adapted for adolescents (DBT-A) or enhanced usual care (EUC) at community child and adolescent psychiatric outpatient clinics. Assessments of self-harm, suicidal ideation, depression, hopelessness, borderline symptoms, and global level of functioning were made at the end of the 19-week treatment period and at follow-up 1 year later. Altogether 75 of the 77 (97%) adolescents participated at both time points. Frequencies of hospitalizations, emergency department visits and other use of mental health care during the 1-year follow-up period were recorded. Change analyses were performed using mixed effects linear spline regression and mixed effect Poisson regression with robust variance. Over the 52-week follow-up period, DBT-A remained superior to EUC in reducing the frequency of self-harm. For other outcomes such as suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and depressive or borderline symptoms and for the global level of functioning, inter-group differences apparent at the 19-week assessment were no longer observed, mainly due to participants in the EUC group having significantly improved on these dimensions over the follow-up year, whereas DBT-A participants remained unchanged. A stronger long-term reduction in self-harm and a more rapid recovery in suicidal ideation, depression, and borderline symptoms suggest that DBT-A may be a favorable treatment alternative for adolescents with repetitive self-harming behavior. Treatment for Adolescents With Deliberate Self Harm; http://clinicaltrials.gov/; NCT00675129.

Predictors of suicidal ideation in treatment-seeking survivors of torture.

In this study, we examined sociodemographic, persecutor identity, torture, and postmigration variables associated with suicidal ideation in a clinical sample of 267 immigrant survivors of torture who have resettled in New York City. The purpose of this study was to identify variables associated with increased risk for suicidal ideation in survivors of torture before they receive legal, psychological, or medical services for torture-related needs. Results from a binary logistic regression model identified a combination of 3 variables associated with current suicidal ideation at intake into the program. Being female, having not submitted an application for asylum, and a history of rape or sexual assault were significantly associated with suicidal ideation at intake, when also controlling for several other important variables. The final model explained 21.4% of variation in reported suicidal ideation at intake. The discussion will focus on the importance of conducting a thorough assessment of suicidal ideation in refugees and survivors of torture.

Considerations for the assessment of suicidal ideation and behavior in older adults with cognitive decline and dementia

IntroductionBetter understanding of suicide risk and its management in older adults with cognitive impairment and/or dementia remain significant unmet public health needs. Urgency to address them derives from concern that CNS treatments for dementia may impact suicide risk. Regulatory guidances requiring assessment of emergent suicidal ideation and behavior (SI/SB) at every clinical trial visit emphasize the need for understanding their prevalence. MethodsThe literature regarding SI/SB in older persons with cognitive impairment or dementia was reviewed by an Alzheimer's Association Taskforce with emphasis on epidemiology, classification, assessment, and regulatory requirements. ResultsGaps in our knowledge were identified, challenges discussed and recommendations for future work provided. DiscussionCurrently available SI/SB data from geriatric persons with dementia do not provide adequate understanding of its epidemiology, identification, assessment, or management. The growing public health burden of this population requires greater attention from clinicians and researchers on tactics and assessment tools to meet these needs.

Assessment and follow-up of suicidal ideation when screening for depression in hospitalized coronary heart disease patients – development of a protocol

Rationale, aims and objectives: Depression is common in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients and routine depression screening is often performed in research settings and recommended for clinical practice. Many depression screening instruments contain an item assessing suicidal ideation. A positive answer for suicidal ideation requires timely follow-up evaluation by trained clinicians; however, the process of transferal of this information is not without its problems. We aimed to develop and implement a step-by-step action protocol for the timely follow-up evaluation of positive screenings for suicidal ideation in hospitalized CHD patients who complete a depression screening in a research study.Method: The protocol was developed by a team of psychiatrists and psychologists as part of a two-site prospective cohort study which includes 1265 hospitalized CHD patients with and without co-morbid depression. Patients were presented with two depression screening instruments as part of the baseline assessment, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). All participants underwent a standardized computer based evaluation for clinical depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The protocol was adapted continuously with the aims to optimize information transfer between study team and clinic staff and to initiate potentially required care.Results: The protocol was adapted to site-specific exigencies, resulting in a stepped approach of handling suicidal ideation, starting with suicidality assessment in a depression screening questionnaire. In case of positive screening, a detailed procedure for following-up on suicidal ideation was developed, including guidelines for various eventualities. In case of insufficient or doubtful distance from suicidal intent as assessed by clinical psychologists in training, psychiatric consultation was initiated. Conclusions:Implementation of a protocol to follow-up on a positive suicidality screening in a research setting at two coronary care hospital sites was a logistical challenge, but proved feasible and acceptable to patients and staff.

Ongoing life stressors and suicidal ideation among HIV-infected adults with depression

BackgroundSuicidal ideation is the most proximal risk factor for suicide and can indicate extreme psychological distress; identification of its predictors is important for possible intervention. Depression and stressful or traumatic life events (STLEs), which are more common among HIV-infected individuals than the general population, may serve as triggers for suicidal thoughts. MethodsA randomized controlled trial testing the effect of evidence-based decision support for depression treatment on antiretroviral adherence (the SLAM DUNC study) included monthly assessments of incident STLEs, and quarterly assessments of suicidal ideation (SI). We examined the association between STLEs and SI during up to one year of follow-up among 289 Southeastern US-based participants active in the study between 7/1/2011 and 4/1/2014, accounting for time-varying confounding by depressive severity with the use of marginal structural models. ResultsParticipants were mostly male (70%) and black (62%), with a median age of 45 years, and experienced a mean of 2.36 total STLEs (range: 0–12) and 0.48 severe STLEs (range: 0–3) per month. Every additional STLE was associated with an increase in SI prevalence of 7% (prevalence ratio (PR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 1.07 (1.00, 1.14)), and every additional severe STLE with an increase in SI prevalence of 19% (RR (95% CI): 1.19 (1.00, 1.42)). LimitationsThere was a substantial amount of missing data and the exposures and outcomes were obtained via self-report; methods were tailored to address these potential limitations. ConclusionsSTLEs were associated with increased SI prevalence, which is an important risk factor for suicide attempts and completions.

Using standardized methods to assess suicidal behavior: the need is even greater than it looks.

Submitted: October 7, 2014; accepted October 8, 2014. Corresponding author: Eric A.Youngstrom, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #3270, Davie Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3270 (eay@unc.edu). J Clin Psychiatry 2015;76(10):e1331–e1332 dx.doi.org/10.4088/JCP.14com09573 © Copyright 2015 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc. T article by Brown et al1 addresses the crucial issue of detection of suicidal behavior and nonsuicidal selfinjury in clinical practice. The research includes numerous strengths in terms of research design and statistical analysis. The article compared the results of a structured interview to clinical diagnoses and found that although the agreement was high (κ ~ 0.76), the structured interview detected or reclassified 18% of the cases (n = 23) as having a history of a suicide attempt. Of these, slightly more than half were reclassifications of what the clinician had recorded as nonsuicidal self-injury (n = 4) or some other behavior (n = 8), and 11 were cases for which there was no documentation of any concern about suicidal behavior in the clinical record. Reassuringly, the cases detected only via the structured interview tended to be milder cases; the clinicians did an excellent job of detecting and documenting the recent and severe events. Brown and coauthors1 do a good job of conveying the clinical importance of even these less severe events, which they note have important prognostic value for future suicidal behavior and thus warrant careful clinical documentation and management. It would be a mistake to conclude that these results mean that the status quo of clinical assessment is sufficient. The kappa (κ) value reported here was exceptionally high. Agreement between clinical diagnoses and diagnoses based on semistructured clinical interviews tends to be poor.2,3 A recent comparison of billing diagnoses versus diagnoses based on semistructured interview found a median κ value of 0.37,4 and even that was better than the median κ value of 0.29 for externalizing problems and 0.28 for internalizing problems based on a meta-analysis of 38 articles and almost 16,000 probands.5 In the retest reliability for the DSM-5 Field Trials, nonsuicidal self-injury obtained a κ value of 0.03 at the 1 site that was able to evaluate it.6 Compared to the literature, the results of Brown et al1 are an outlier, most likely resulting from a combination of factors including reliance on clinicians at academic institutions with a culture of excellence in research and evaluation of suicidal ideation and behavior. In the larger context, those findings represent a “best-case scenario” owing to the strengths of design. These results underscore the gap between more typical clinical practice and the results that would be possible using a more structured approach. It is sobering that agreement is so poor, across both common and contentious diagnoses, and the evidence underscores the value of more structured approaches for clinical issues such as nonsuicidal self-injury behavior. The DSM-5 Field Trials also amplify the conclusion from Brown et al1 that there is great need for tools that support consistency in nomenclature when describing the range of self-injurious behaviors.7,8 With DSM-5, clinicians were not given structured interview tools, but they were all aware that they were participating in the field trial and had prior knowledge of what diagnoses were under consideration, showing that cognizance of the diagnoses by itself was not enough to produce agreement. The potential value of checklists and structured assessments is not limited to psychiatry. Structured methods have demonstrated value in surgery and flight control and arguably could improve performance in most areas requiring processing of complex information.9 Mental health, however, appears more reluctant than other medical disciplines to embrace structured methods. Practitioners feel that structured approaches compromise their professional autonomy and fear that such approaches would compromise rapport with patients.10 Data directly contradict these concerns: patients report high levels of rapport after structured evaluations and prefer them to unstructured interviews, perceiving structured evaluations as more thorough and providing a better understanding of their situation and needs.11 Brown et al1 found that structured approaches did not require inordinate amounts of time, and they significantly increased sensitivity to clinically meaningful levels of selfharm behaviors. There are a variety of tools available that have demonstrated good reliability and validity for the assessment of suicidal ideation and behavior, and several are relatively brief, particularly when administration uses screening questions and skip-outs.12–14 Adoption of these methods in clinical settings, especially those where the risk of suicidal behavior is elevated, would improve the accuracy of clinical assessment and the ensuing decision making, even more than the results from Brown and colleagues1 might appear to suggest.

Treatment of veterans with mental health symptoms in VA primary care prior to suicide.

We describe Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care received by veterans with mental health symptoms in the year prior to suicide to identify opportunities to improve care. Death certificate data from 11 states were linked to VA national patient care data for veterans who died by suicide in 2009 and had received VA care. We identified 118 age-, sex- and clinician-matched case-control pairs (suicide decedents and living controls) with mental health symptoms. Using McNemar's chi-square and paired t tests, we compare primary care follow-up received during the year prior to death. Cases and controls received similar primary care clinician follow-up and treatment for mental health symptoms. Cases were less likely than controls to fill 90 or more total days of an antidepressant during the year (P=.02), despite no differences in prescription orders from clinicians (P=.05). Cases and controls were equally likely to fill 90 or more consecutive days of an antidepressant (P=.47). Across both groups, 48% (n=113) received assessment for suicidal ideation in primary care. We identified two areas to improve primary care for veterans at risk for suicide: monitoring antidepressant treatment adherence and improving suicidal ideation assessment and follow-up for veterans with mental health symptoms.

Prevalence and characteristics of suicide attempters and ideators among acutely admitted psychiatric hospital patients in northwest Russia and northern Norway.

BackgroundMore knowledge about suicidality and suicide risk profiles in acute psychiatric hospital patients (both first-time and chronic patients) is needed. While numerous factors are associated with suicidality in such populations, these may differ across cultures. Better understanding of factors underlying suicide risk can be informed by cross-cultural studies, and can aid development of therapeutic and preventive measures.MethodsAn explorative, cross-sectional cohort study was carried out. Acutely admitted patients at one psychiatric hospital in northwest Russia and two in northern Norway were included. At admission, demographic, clinical, and service use data were collected, in addition to an assessment of suicidal ideation and attempts, comprising five dichotomic questions. Data from 358 Norwegian and 465 Russian patients were analyzed with univariate and multivariate statistics. Within each cohort, attempters and ideators were compared with patients not reporting any suicidality.ResultsThe observed prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts was significantly higher in the Norwegian cohort than in the Russian cohort (χ2 = 168.1, p < 0,001). Norwegian suicidal ideators and attempters had more depressed moods, more personality disorders, and greater problems with alcohol/drugs, but fewer psychotic disorders, cognitive problems or overactivity than non-suicidal patients. Russian suicidal ideators and attempters were younger, more often unemployed, had more depressed mood and adjustment disorders, but had fewer psychotic disorders and less alcohol/drug use than the non-suicidal patients.ConclusionsRates of suicidal ideation and non-fatal attempts in Norwegian patients were intermediate between those previously reported for patients admitted for the first time and those typical of chronic patients. However, the significantly lower rates of suicidal ideation and non-fatal attempts in our Russian cohort as compared with the Norwegian, contrasted with what might be expected in a region with much higher suicide rates than in northern Norway. We suggest that suicide-related stigma in Russia may reduce both patient reporting and clinicians’ recognition of suicidality. In both cohorts, overlapping risk profiles of ideators and attempters may indicate that ideators should be carefully evaluated and monitored, particularly those with depressed moods, alcohol/substance abuse disorders, and inadequate treatment continuity.

The effectiveness of using non-traditional teaching methods to prepare student health care professionals for the delivery of mental state examination: a systematic review.

With the evolution of education, there has been a shift from the use of traditional teaching methods, such as didactic or rote teaching, towards non-traditional teaching methods, such as viewing of role plays, simulation, live interviews and the use of virtual environments. Mental state examination is an essential competency for all student healthcare professionals. If mental state examination is not taught in the most effective manner so learners can comprehend its concepts and interpret the findings correctly, it could lead to serious repercussions and subsequently impact on clinical care provided for patients with mental health conditions, such as incorrect assessment of suicidal ideation. However, the methods for teaching mental state examination vary widely between countries, academic institutions and clinical settings. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize the best available evidence of effective teaching methods used to prepare student health care professionals for the delivery of mental state examination. This review considered evidence from primary quantitative studies which address the effectiveness of a chosen method used for the teaching of mental state examination published in English, including studies that measure learner outcomes, i.e. improved knowledge and skills, self-confidence and learners' satisfaction. A three-step search strategy was undertaken in this review to search for articles published in English from the inception of the database to December 2014. An initial search of MEDLINE and CINAHL was undertaken to identify keywords. Secondly, the keywords identified were used to search electronic databases, namely, CINAHL, Medline, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid, PsycINFO and, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. Thirdly, reference lists of the articles identified in the second stage were searched for other relevant studies. Studies selected were assessed by two independent reviewers for methodological validity prior to inclusion in the review using the standardized critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute's Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument embedded within the System for the Unified Management, Assessment and Review of Information. Any disagreements that arose between the reviewers were resolved through discussion between the reviewers. Data was extracted using data extraction tools developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute Quantitative data was extracted from papers using standardized data extraction tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute's Meta-Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument. The included studies were found to be heterogeneous in terms of participants and teaching methods. Moreover, a wide variety of instruments were used to determine impact and outcomes of the teaching methods. Hence, findings of the included articles were presented in a narrative summary. A total of 12 articles were included in this review with consensus from all reviewers. The evidence retrieved in this study suggests that non-traditional teaching methods, such as videotapes, virtual simulation, standardized patients and reflection, improve learners' understanding and skills of mental state examination as opposed to traditional teaching methods like lectures and provision of reading materials. However, studies that specifically compared the effectiveness of one method over another were limited to comparison between lectures with videotaped interviews and virtual simulations. It was shown that both videotaped interviews and virtual simulations were superior to lectures. In videotaped teaching, interactions between patients and learners performing mental state examination were shown for the learner’s discussion while virtual simulations mimicked patient symptoms in computer applications. Virtual simulation was notably a unique learning opportunity for the learners as it allowed learning to take place without the use of diminishing real life resources. However, in view of the high cost and learners’ difficulty in negotiating the virtual environment, videotaped teaching remained as the more commonly used method of teaching mental state examination. This systematic review study identified teaching strategies utilized in the teaching of mental state examination and their effectiveness. Videotapes was the most widely used and effective approach, that is, until the issue of high cost and ease of maneuver in virtual simulation could be overcome. There were also potential benefits of other teaching, such as reflection and use of standardized patients, and educators could consider these in the teaching of mental state examination. Future research could focus more on the comparison of various teaching methods to offer more evidence on the use of one teaching method over another.

Panic symptoms and elevated suicidal ideation and behaviors among trauma exposed individuals: Moderating effects of post-traumatic stress disorder

Panic attacks (PAs) are highly prevalent among trauma exposed individuals and have been associated with a number of adverse outcomes. Despite high suicide rates among trauma exposed individuals, research to date has not examined the potential relation between panic symptoms and suicidal ideation and behaviors among this high risk population. The current study tested the association of panic with suicidal ideation and behaviors among a large sample of trauma exposed smokers. Community participants (N=421) who reported a lifetime history of trauma exposure were assessed concurrently for current panic, suicidal ideation and behaviors, and psychiatric diagnoses. Those who met criteria for a current panic disorder diagnosis were removed from analyses to allow for the assessment of non-PD related panic in line with the recent addition of the PA specifier applicable to all DSM-5 disorders. Findings indicated that panic symptoms were significantly associated with suicidal ideation and behaviors beyond the effects of depression and number of trauma types experienced. Further, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnostic status significantly moderated this relationship, indicating that the relationship between panic and suicidal ideation and behaviors is potentiated among individuals with a current PTSD diagnosis. This investigation suggests that panic symptoms may be a valuable clinical target for the assessment and treatment of suicidal ideation and behaviors among trauma exposed individuals.

Late-life Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and Attempted Suicide: The Role of Individual Differences in Maximizing, Regret, and Negative Decision Outcomes.

Suicide rates are highest in adults of middle and older age. Research with psychiatric patients has shown that proneness to feel regret about past decisions can grow so intense that suicide becomes a tempting escape. Here, we examine the additional role of individual differences in maximizing, or the tendency to strive for the best decision, rather than one that is good enough. We provided individual-differences measures of maximizing, regret proneness, and negative life decision outcomes (as reported on the Decision Outcome Inventory or DOI) to a non-psychiatric control group, as well as three groups of psychiatric patients in treatment for suicide attempts, suicidal ideation, or non-suicidal depression. We found that scores on the three individual-differences measures were worse for psychiatric patients than for non-psychiatric controls, and were correlated to clinical assessments of depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation. More importantly, maximizing was associated with these clinical assessments, even after taking into account maximizers' worse life decision outcomes. Regret proneness significantly mediated those relationships, suggesting that maximizers could be at risk for clinical depression because of their proneness to regret. We discuss the theoretical relevance of our findings and their promise for clinical practice. Ultimately, late-life depression and suicidal ideation may be treated with interventions that promote better decision making and regret regulation.

The effect of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness on therapists' assessment of patients' suicide risk

Objective: The interpersonal theory of suicide posits that perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness are two causal interactive suicidal risk factors. The aim of this study was to examine whether therapists are affected by these factors upon assessing patients' suicide risk. Method: Using an experimental design, 388 mental health professionals were presented with a text vignette describing a hypothetical patient with either high or low perceived burdensomeness and with either high or low thwarted belongingness. Results: The findings revealed that both factors affected therapists' risk assessment of psychache, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt and resilience. Conclusions: The study results highlight the interpersonal theory as an important theory for understanding the factors upon which therapists and mental health professionals rely when assessing suicide risk.

Suicidal ideation and related factors among dementia patients

BackgroundIt is generally thought that people with dementia are not able to attempt suicide because of impaired executive function. Little research is available about suicidal ideation among dementia patients. The present study examines 1) the sociodemographic and clinical features of dementia patients with suicidal ideation and 2) the effect of suicidal ideation on caregiver burden. MethodsA total of 634 dementia outpatients and their family caregivers participated in this study. Comparisons of variables were made among three groups: patients with suicidal ideation, patients with depression without suicidal ideation, and patients with neither suicidal ideation nor depression. Data were collected between April 2007 and July 2013. ResultsSuicidal ideation was seen in 64 patients (10.1%). Patients with suicidal ideation had a significantly higher rate of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) (P<0.001). Caregivers of patients with suicidal ideation felt a higher caregiver burden, even after adjusting for BPSD score (P<0.01). LimitationsSuicidal ideation was assessed by interview with caregivers, so we may have overlooked people who had suicidal ideation but did not express it to their caregivers. ConclusionsSuicidal ideation among dementia patients should receive greater attention. Adequate assessment of suicidal ideation and psychological support for both patients with suicidal ideation and their caregivers are needed.

Depression screening in pediatric epilepsy: Evidence for the benefit of a behavioral medicine service in early detection

Despite the increased risk and prevalence of depression in youth with epilepsy, only one-third receive mental health services. Untreated depression can contribute to negative outcomes and increased health-care utilization and medical cost. Proactive behavioral medicine screening may facilitate identification of depressive symptoms and necessary interventions in efforts to optimize behavioral health and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Primary study aims included the examination of 1) rates of self-reported depression in youth with epilepsy, 2) differences in depression by demographic and medical variables, 3) the impact of depression on HRQOL, and 4) changes in depression and suicidal ideation following a behavioral medicine consultation. As part of routine clinic care over a 24-month period, youth with epilepsy of 7–17years of age completed the Children's Depression Inventory—Second Edition. Parents completed the PedsQL. A chart review was conducted to ascertain demographics, medical variables, and behavioral medicine visits and recommendations. A subsample with Time 1 and Time 2 depression data was examined. Time 1 participants included 311 youth with epilepsy (Mage=11.9years, 50% female, 84% Caucasian, 46.0% with localization-related epilepsy, 71.0% with seizure control in the past 3months). Elevated depression was identified in 23% of youth, with 14% endorsing suicidal ideation. Depression significantly varied by age, antiepileptic drug, and insurance. After controlling for seizure status, HRQOL worsened with elevated depression. Depression significantly decreased from Time 1 to Time 2 (n=159), particularly for those referred for behavioral medicine services at Time 1. Systematic assessment and early detection of depression and/or suicidal ideation in youth with epilepsy can improve HRQOL and decrease depression. Depression screening can be implemented through clinic-based behavioral medicine services.

Sleep Disturbances and Suicide Risk.

Suicide occurs in the presence of psychiatric illness, and is associated with biological, psychological, and social risk factors. Insomnia symptoms and nightmares appear to present elevated risk for suicidal ideation, attempts, and death by suicide. Failure to account for the presence of psychopathology and frequent use of single item assessments of sleep and suicidal ideation are common methodological problems in this literature. Preliminary research, addressing these issues, suggests that subjective sleep complaints may confer independent risk for suicidal behaviors.