Suicide Risk In Bipolar Disorder Research Articles

The altered temporal properties of dynamic functional connectivity associated with suicide attempt in bipolar disorders

ObjectiveThe suicide risk in bipolar disorder (BD) is the highest among psychiatric disorders, and the neurobiological mechanism of suicide in BD remains unclear. The study aimed to investigate the underlying relevance between the implicated abnormalities of dynamic functional connectivity (FC) and suicide attempt (SA) in BD. MethodsWe used the sliding window method to analyze the dynamic FC patterns from resting-state functional MRI data in 81 healthy controls (HC) and 114 BD patients (50 with SA and 64 with none SA). Then, the temporal properties of dynamic FC and the relationship between altered measures and clinical variables were explored. ResultsWe found that one of the five captured brain functional states was more associated with SA. The SA patients showed significantly increased fractional window and dwell time in the suicide-related state, along with increased number of state transitions compared with none SA (NSA). In addition, the connections within subcortical network-subcortical network (SubC-SubC), default mode network-subcortical network (DMN-SubC), and attention network-subcortical network (AN-SubC) were significantly changed in SA patients relative to NSA and HC in the suicide-related state. Crucially, the above-altered measures were significantly correlated with suicide risk. ConclusionsOur findings suggested that the impaired dynamic FC within SubC-SubC, DMN-SubC, and AN-SubC were the important underlying mechanism in understanding SA for BD patients. It highlights the temporal properties of whole-brain dynamic FC could serve as the valuable biomarker for suicide risk assessment in BD.

Suicide Assessment and Prevention in Bipolar Disorder: How Current Evidence Can Inform Clinical Practice.

Bipolar disorder is associated with a considerable risk of suicide, and this fact must be incorporated into management of all patients with the condition. This article highlights the importance of a more nuanced understanding of the factors associated with the increased risk of suicidal behavior in people diagnosed as having bipolar disorder and interventions that could mitigate it. Several sociodemographic, clinical, environmental, and other variables have been associated with suicide attempts or deaths in bipolar disorder. Youths with bipolar disorder are a particularly vulnerable group, and their trajectory of illness could be modified by early interventions. Several medications have been studied regarding their relationship to suicide risk in bipolar disorder, and interventional psychiatry is a newer area of research focus. Finally, community-based approaches can be incorporated into a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention. This article summarizes the current understanding of key variables that can help inform a clinical risk assessment of individuals and interventions that can be employed in suicide prevention in bipolar disorder.

Prevention of Suicidal Behavior in Bipolar Disorder.

Excess mortality is a critical hallmark of bipolar disorder (BD) due to co-occurring general medical disorders and especially from suicide. It is timely to review of the status of suicide in BD and to consider the possibility of limiting suicidal risk. We carried out a semi-systematic review of recent research reports pertaining to suicide in BD. Suicide risk in BD is greater than with most other psychiatric disorders. Suicide rates (per 100,000/year) are approximately 11 and 4 in the adult and juvenile general populations, but over 200 in adults, and 100 among juveniles diagnosed with BD. Suicide attempt rates with BD are at least 20 times higher than in the adult general population, and over 50 times higher among juveniles. Notable suicidal risk factors in BD include: previous suicidal acts, depression, mixed-agitated-dysphoric moods, rapid mood-shifts, impulsivity, and co-occurring substance abuse. Suicide-preventing therapeutics for BD remain severely underdeveloped. Evidence favoring lithium treatment is stronger than for other measures, although encouraging findings are emerging for other treatments. Suicide is a leading clinical challenge for those caring for BD patients. Improved understanding of risk and protective factors combined with knowledge and close follow-up of BD patients should limit suicidal risk. Ethically appropriate and scientifically sound studies of plausible medicinal, physical, and psychosocial treatments aimed at suicide prevention specifically for BD patients are urgently needed.Reprinted from Bipolar Disord 2021; 23:14-23, with permission from John Wiley and Sons. Copyright © 2021.

A History of Suicide Attempt Is Associated with Increased Sympathetic Activation in Bipolar Disorder.

Suicide risk in bipolar disorder (BD) is estimated to be up to 20 times higher than in the general population. While there is a large body of evidence suggesting that increased sympathetic activation is associated with disease and death, there is a paucity of research on the role of autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in patients with BD who have attempted suicide. Fifty-three participants with BD used a wearable device to assess the association between history of suicide attempt, current suicidal ideation, and ANS dysfunction, including measures of heart rate variability (HRV) and respiratory rate. Data were analyzed in a series of unadjusted and adjusted bivariate models of association controlling for relevant variables. A history of suicide attempts was significantly associated with an increase in respiratory rate (p < 0.01). These results remained significant after adjusting for age, BMI, and current mood state. There was no association between current suicidal ideation and heart rate or respiratory rate. In the frequency domain, HRV parameters suggest reduced parasympathetic (i.e., vagal) activity in participants with a history of suicide attempts and in those with current suicidality, suggesting changes in sympathicovagal balance in BD. Our results suggest that changes in the ANS in patients with BD and a history of suicide attempt are not restricted to pure vagally mediated HRV parameters, but rather signal a general ANS dysregulation. This ANS imbalance may be contributing to illness burden and cardiovascular disease. Further research on the relationship between ANS and suicidality in BD is needed.

Resting-state functional connectivity indicators of risk and resilience for self-harm in adolescent bipolar disorder.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in all youth and among adults with bipolar disorder (BD). The risk of suicide in BD is among the highest of all psychiatric conditions. Self-harm, including suicide attempts and non-suicidal self-injury, is a leading risk factor for suicide. Neuroimaging studies suggest reward circuits are implicated in both BD and self-harm; however, studies have yet to examine self-harm related resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) phenotypes within adolescent BD. Resting-state fMRI data were analyzed for 141 adolescents, ages 13-20 years, including 38 with BD and lifetime self-harm (BDSH+), 33 with BD and no self-harm (BDSH-), and 70 healthy controls (HC). The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and amygdala were examined as regions of interest in seed-to-voxel analyses. A general linear model was used to explore the bivariate correlations for each seed. BDSH- had increased positive rsFC between the left amygdala and left lateral occipital cortex, and between the right dlPFC and right frontal pole, and increased negative rsFC between the left amygdala and left superior frontal gyrus compared to BDSH+ and HC. BDSH+ had increased positive rsFC of the right OFC with the precuneus and left paracingulate gyrus compared to BDSH- and HC. This study provides preliminary evidence of altered reward-related rsFC in relation to self-harm in adolescents with BD. Between-group differences conveyed a combination of putative risk and resilience connectivity patterns. Future studies are warranted to evaluate changes in rsFC in response to treatment and related changes in self-harm.

Graph theory analysis of whole brain functional connectivity to assess disturbances associated with suicide attempts in bipolar disorder

Brain targets to lower the high risk of suicide in Bipolar Disorder (BD) are needed. Neuroimaging studies employing analyses dependent on regional assumptions could miss hubs of dysfunction critical to the pathophysiology of suicide behaviors and their prevention. This study applied intrinsic connectivity distribution (ICD), a whole brain graph‐theoretical approach, to identify hubs of functional connectivity (FC) disturbances associated with suicide attempts in BD. ICD, from functional magnetic resonance imaging data acquired while performing a task involving implicit emotion regulation processes important in BD and suicide behaviors, was compared across 40 adults with BD with prior suicide attempts (SAs), 49 with BD with no prior attempts (NSAs) and 51 healthy volunteers (HVs). Areas of significant group differences were used as seeds to identify regional FC differences and explore associations with suicide risk-related measures. ICD was significantly lower in SAs than in NSAs and HVs in bilateral ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and right anterior insula (RaIns). Seed connectivity revealed altered FC from vmPFC to bilateral anteromedial orbitofrontal cortex, left ventrolateral PFC (vlPFC) and cerebellum, and from RaIns to right vlPFC and temporopolar cortices. VmPFC and RaIns ICD were negatively associated with suicidal ideation severity, and vmPFC ICD with hopelessness and attempt lethality severity. The findings suggest that SAs with BD have vmPFC and RaIns hubs of dysfunction associated with altered FC to other ventral frontal, temporopolar and cerebellar cortices, and with suicidal ideation, hopelessness, and attempt lethality. These hubs may be targets for novel therapeutics to reduce suicide risk in BD.

The Correlation of Reduced Fractional Anisotropy in the Cingulum With Suicide Risk in Bipolar Disorder.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the significant alterations in brain white matter integrity in individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) who had attempted suicide by applying a tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) approach with tensor-based spatial normalization.Methods: A TBSS approach with novel tensor-based registration was used to compare the white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) between 51 individuals with BD, of whom 19 had attempted suicide, and 43 healthy controls (HC). The suicide attempt was assessed with the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). In addition, we also investigated the correlations of FA values with clinical measures in BD, including illness duration, and the severity of depression and anxiety measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), respectively.Results: A significant reduction of FA value in the hippocampal cingulum was observed in BD individuals who had attempted suicide compared with those who had not. For the genu/body of the corpus callosum, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, uncinate fasciculus, and anterior thalamic radiation, the reductions in FA values were significantly greater in both BD subgroups who attempted suicide and who did not, compared to HC. The correlation analysis showed that the illness duration of attempters was correlated to the FA value of the genu of the corpus callosum, while the HAMD and HAMA scores of non-attempters were relevant to the FA of the superior longitudinal fasciculus.Conclusion: The observation that white matter integrity was altered in the hippocampal cingulum in BD individuals who attempted suicide suggested that this brain area may be the neurobiological basis of suicide attempts. Our findings also support the involvement of white matter (WM) microstructure of frontal–subcortical circuits in the neurobiological mechanism of BD. In addition, the illness duration of patients with attempted suicide may have an effect on the altered integrity of the corpus callosum.

Suicidal Ideation in Bipolar Disorder: The Relation with Clinical and Sociodemographic Variables.

Bipolar disorder (BD) has the highest risk of suicide among all mental disorders. Thus, identifying factors related to suicidal ideation is essential for a better assessment of the risk of suicide in BD. To analyze the relationship between suicidal ideation and clinical and sociodemographic characteristics in BD patients. This is a cross-sectional study that included eighty individuals with BD. Information regarding sociodemographic data and history of attempted suicide were collected, and the Hamilton Depression Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale/positive symptom subscale, Clinical Global Impressions Scale for use in bipolar illness, Insight Scale for Affective Disorders, and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale were administered. The presence and severity of suicidal ideation were assessed using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation. All regression models significantly predicted suicidal ideation. In the model that had the lowest AIC score and the highest cross-validity, the severity of depressive and of manic symptoms (standardized β = 0.49, p < 0.001; standardized β = 0.42, p = 0.007), the insight level (standardized β = - 0.38, p = 0.012) and previous suicide attempt (standardized β = 0.20, p = 0.036) acted as predictors of suicidal ideation, while degree of impulsivity (β standardized = 0.13, p = 0.229) and educational level (standardized β = - 0.16, p = 0.108) did not give a significant contribution. According to our results, more severe depression and mania symptoms, higher level of insight and a history of suicide attempt indicate the occurrence of suicidal ideation in BD.

Prevention of suicidal behavior in bipolar disorder.

Excess mortality is a critical hallmark of bipolar disorder (BD) due to co-occurring general medical disorders and especially from suicide. It is timely to review of the status of suicide in BD and to consider the possibility of limiting suicidal risk. We carried out a semi-systematic review of recent research reports pertaining to suicide in BD. Suicide risk in BD is greater than with most other psychiatric disorders. Suicide rates (per 100,000/year) are approximately 11 and 4 in the adult and juvenile general populations, but over 200 in adults, and 100 among juveniles diagnosed with BD. Suicide attempt rates with BD are at least 20 times higher than in the adult general population, and over 50 times higher among juveniles. Notable suicidal risk factors in BD include: previous suicidal acts, depression, mixed-agitated-dysphoric moods, rapid mood-shifts, impulsivity, and co-occurring substance abuse. Suicide-preventing therapeutics for BD remain severely underdeveloped. Evidence favoring lithium treatment is stronger than for other measures, although encouraging findings are emerging for other treatments. Suicide is a leading clinical challenge for those caring for BD patients. Improved understanding of risk and protective factors combined with knowledge and close follow-up of BD patients should limit suicidal risk. Ethically appropriate and scientifically sound studies of plausible medicinal, physical, and psychosocial treatments aimed at suicide prevention specifically for BD patients are urgently needed.

P.634 Predictors of suicide risk in bipolar disorder: A study of 140 patients

To measure the predictive power of the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) in a male inmate population (federal penitentiary) with the added contribution of actuarial data.SPS scores and data from the files of 518 inmates were analyzed in relation to their suicidal behaviors over the following 10 years.During this period, 12 inmates committed suicide (2.32%), 43 engaged in non-lethal self-harm (8.3%) and 15 expressed serious suicidal intention (2.9%), for a total of 70 (13.51%) who manifested at least one form of suicidal behavior. The records of the 518 inmates allowed identifying seven actuarial variables (out of 24 documented) that distinguished the group that acted out. These variables were tested in combination with the SPS score to determine the best predictive models of suicidal behavior. Depending on type of suicidal behavior and on observation period, the following seven variables could prove useful in improving the predictive capacity of the SPS: age, prior suicidal behavior, borderline personality disorder, length of sentence, number of sentences, prior incarceration in a provincial prison, and juvenile priors. However, analyses did not allow developing a better predictive model for the specific subgroup of suicide completers.SPS is improved when adding actuarial data.

An Update on the Other Cause of Excess Death in Bipolar Disorder: Cardiovascular Disease

Although much attention has appropriately been paid to suicide risk in bipolar disorder, cardiovascular disease has not received commensurate attention. People with bipolar disorder bear approximately twice the expected risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Several potential explanations for this alarming finding are reviewed with a focus on potential targets for clinical intervention. Many medications used to treat bipolar disorder may adversely impact risk factors for cardiovascular disease. People with bipolar disorder are additionally more likely to smoke, less likely to exercise regularly, and less likely to have healthy eating habits. Sleep problems are also nearly ubiquitous in bipolar disorder. Unacceptably, patients with bipolar disorder receive inadequate screening for and management of risk factors for cardiovascular disease, even in countries with universal access to health care. As providers with the most contact with many of these patients, psychiatrists are challenged to come to the fore in addressing this public health disparity. [ Psychiatr Ann. 2019;49(9):380–385.]

Depressive symptoms carry an increased risk for suicidal ideation and behavior in bipolar disorder without any additional contribution of mixed symptoms.

To determine whether the risk of suicidal ideation or behavior during mixed states exceeds that attributable to the depressive components of these states alone in bipolar disorder. We utilized real-world, longitudinal clinical data collected on 290 patients with bipolar disorders (bipolar I, bipolar II, and bipolar not otherwise specified (NOS)) from the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) Clinical Care Registry (CCR) seen for 891 visits over a mean of 27.5 weeks. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), manic symptoms with the Altman Self-Rating Mania (ASRM), and suicidal ideation and behavior with the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), obtained as part of the routine, measurement-based care provided across the NNDC. The relations between depressive symptoms, manic symptoms, and the interaction thereof (mixed symptoms) on coinciding suicidal ideation and behavior were modeled in generalized linear mixed models. Depressive symptoms, as measured by the PHQ-9, were strongly associated with suicidal ideation and behavior (p < 0.0001), while there was no significant association with manic symptoms as measured by the ASRM or the interaction between depressive and manic symptoms. Similar results were observed when the outcome was restricted to suicidal behavior and when mood was modeled categorically. There was evidence of a gender by ASRM interaction (p = 0.011) and risk of suicidal ideation or behavior was significant for women, but not men with manic symptoms. Diagnoses were based on clinician assessment and not structured interview. Mood assessments were self-reported rather than clinician-administered. Suicidal ideation was more frequently observed than suicidal behavior (23/272 visits where outcome positive). Depression represents the primary mood state accounting for suicide risk in bipolar disorder. Co-occurring symptoms of mania (mixed symptoms) do not appear to convey an elevated risk for suicidal ideation or behavior beyond that explained by the depressive symptoms alone.

Divalproex and its effect on suicide risk in bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of multinational observational studies

BackgroundDivalproex has become the most prevalent mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder. However, little is known its effects in the prevention of suicide in patients with bipolar disorder, and recent FDA announcement indicated an increased risk of suicidality when using anti-epileptic agents such as divalproex. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of divalproex on suicide risk in patients with bipolar disorder. MethodsA search strategy was used for the PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, ClinicalKey, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov until June 13th, 2018. Peer-reviewed observationally clinical studies in humans, investigating the association of divalproex and suicidality in patients with bipolar disorder were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was implemented to calculate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for suicidality among patients receiving divalproex and those without. ResultsTotal 6 studies were included in the final meta-analysis. There was no significant difference in the incidence rates (reported as [RR]; 95% CI) of suicide attempts (0.921; 0.383–2.215) or completed suicides (0.607; 0.180–2.043) between participants receiving divalproex vs. no medication. There was no significant difference in the incidence rates of suicide attempts (0.815; 0.453–1.466) or completed suicides (1.009; 0.410–2.484) between participants receiving divalproex and carbamazepine. LimitationsThe significantly heterogeneous sample sources and study design amount the included trials. ConclusionsTreatment with divalproex did not reduce or increase the incidence of suicide-related events in patients with bipolar disorder.

Incidence and predictors of suicide attempts in bipolar I and II disorders: A five-year follow-up

IntroductionAlthough suicidal behavior is very common in bipolar disorder (BD), few long-term studies have investigated incidence and risk factors of suicide attempts (SAs) specifically related to illness phases of BD.ObjectivesWe examined incidence of SAs during different phases of BD in a long-term prospective cohort of bipolar I (BD-I) and II (BD-II) patients and risk factors specifically for SAs during major depressive episodes (MDEs).MethodsIn the Jorvi bipolar study (JoBS), 191 BD-I and BD-II patients were followed using life-chart methodology. Prospective information on SAs of 177 patients (92.7%) during different illness phases was available up to five years. Incidence of SAs and their predictors were investigated using logistic and Poisson regression models. Analyses of risk factors for SAs occurring during MDEs were conducted using two-level random-intercept logistic regression models.ResultsDuring the five-year follow-up, 90 SAs per 718 patient-years occurred. Compared with euthymia the incidence was highest, over 120-fold, during mixed states (765/1000 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 461–1269]) and also very high in MDEs, almost 60-fold (354/1000 [95%CI 277–451]). For risk of SAs during MDEs, the duration of MDEs, severity of depression and cluster C personality disorders were significant predictors.ConclusionsIn this long-term study, the highest incidences of SAs occurred in mixed phases and MDEs. The variations in incidence rates between euthymia and illness phases were remarkably large, suggesting that the question “when” rather than “who” may be more relevant for suicide risk in BD. However, risk during MDEs is likely also influenced by personality factors.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Incidence and predictors of suicide attempts in bipolar I and II disorders: A 5‐year follow‐up study

Few long-term studies on bipolar disorder (BD) have investigated the incidence and risk factors of suicide attempts (SAs) specifically related to illness phases. We examined the incidence of SAs during different phases of BD in a long-term prospective cohort of bipolar I (BD-I) and bipolar II (BD-II) patients, and risk factors specifically for SAs during major depressive episodes (MDEs). In the Jorvi Bipolar Study (JoBS), 191 BD-I and BD-II patients were followed using life-chart methodology. Prospective information on SAs of 177 patients (92.7%) during different illness phases was available up to 5years. The incidence of SAs and their predictors were investigated using logistic and Poisson regression models. Analyses of risk factors for SAs occurring during MDEs were conducted using two-level random-intercept logistic regression models. During the 5 years of follow-up, 90 SAs per 718 patient-years occurred. The incidence was highest, over 120-fold higher than in euthymia, during mixed states (765/1000 person-years; 95% confidence interval [CI] 461-1269 person-years), and also very high in MDEs, almost 60-fold higher than in euthymia (354/1000 person-years; 95% CI 277-451 person-years). For risk of SAs during MDEs, the duration of MDEs, severity of depression, and cluster C personality disorders were significant predictors. We confirmed in this long-term study that the highest incidences of SAs occur in mixed and major depressive illness phases. The variations in incidence rates between euthymia and illness phases were remarkably large, suggesting that the question "when" rather than "who" may be more relevant for suicide risk in BD. However, risk during MDEs is likely also influenced by personality factors.

Epidemiology, neurobiology and pharmacological interventions related to suicide deaths and suicide attempts in bipolar disorder: Part I of a report of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Task Force on Suicide in Bipolar Disorder.

Bipolar disorder is associated with elevated risk of suicide attempts and deaths. Key aims of the International Society for Bipolar Disorders Task Force on Suicide included examining the extant literature on epidemiology, neurobiology and pharmacotherapy related to suicide attempts and deaths in bipolar disorder. Systematic review of studies from 1 January 1980 to 30 May 2014 examining suicide attempts or deaths in bipolar disorder, with a specific focus on the incidence and characterization of suicide attempts and deaths, genetic and non-genetic biological studies and pharmacotherapy studies specific to bipolar disorder. We conducted pooled, weighted analyses of suicide rates. The pooled suicide rate in bipolar disorder is 164 per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval = [5, 324]). Sex-specific data on suicide rates identified a 1.7:1 ratio in men compared to women. People with bipolar disorder account for 3.4-14% of all suicide deaths, with self-poisoning and hanging being the most common methods. Epidemiological studies report that 23-26% of people with bipolar disorder attempt suicide, with higher rates in clinical samples. There are numerous genetic associations with suicide attempts and deaths in bipolar disorder, but few replication studies. Data on treatment with lithium or anticonvulsants are strongly suggestive for prevention of suicide attempts and deaths, but additional data are required before relative anti-suicide effects can be confirmed. There were limited data on potential anti-suicide effects of treatment with antipsychotics or antidepressants. This analysis identified a lower estimated suicide rate in bipolar disorder than what was previously published. Understanding the overall risk of suicide deaths and attempts, and the most common methods, are important building blocks to greater awareness and improved interventions for suicide prevention in bipolar disorder. Replication of genetic findings and stronger prospective data on treatment options are required before more decisive conclusions can be made regarding the neurobiology and specific treatment of suicide risk in bipolar disorder.

Alcohol Abuse, Impulsivity and Suicide Attempts in Bipolar Disorders

Introduction The mortality rate in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) is 3-4 times higher than in the general population. This excess mortality is mainly related to suicide risk. Objectives – Assess the prevalence of suicidal behavior in patients with BD. – Discuss the risk factors for them. Methods Our study was a transversal type, descriptive and analytical. It was conducted with 60 patients from the psychiatry consultation of Sfax, meeting the DSM-IV-TR criteria of BD. For each, we collected the following: • A record of clinical and socio-demographic data. • Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview “MINI” version 05 to screen for alcohol abuse / dependence. • The Barratt impulsiveness scale “BIS-11”. Results The average age of patients was 41,3 years (21-63 years). The sex ratio (M / F) was 1,1. 45,5% of patients were single. The BD was type I in 81.8% of cases and type II in 18.2%. Family history of BD was noted in 56.8% of patients. 56.8% had a high level of impulsiveness. The prevalence of alcohol addictive behavior was 21.9%. The rate of suicide attempts was 30%. The most used means were: defenestration (38.46%) and hanging (30.76%). Suicide attempts were correlated with a high degree of impulsivity (p = 0.007) and alcohol addiction (p = 0.029). Conclusion Suicide attempts interested almost the third of bipolar patients. Impulsivity seems to be an important factor for increasing suicide risk in BD, with alcohol addiction. Successful clinical management of alcohol use disorders may be critical to reduce this risk in this population.

A qualitative investigation into the relationships between social factors and suicidal thoughts and acts experienced by people with a bipolar disorder diagnosis

BackgroundThe prevalence rate of completed suicide in bipolar disorder is estimated to be as high as 19%. Social factors or influences, such as stigmatisation and family conflict, contribute to the development of suicidal ideation in clinical and non-clinical populations. Yet, there is a lack of studies examining suicidality from a psychosocial perspective in people who experience bipolar disorder. MethodSemi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data from 20 participants with bipolar disorder. The interview focused on the effects of social factors upon participants׳ experiences of suicidality (suicidal thoughts, feelings or behaviours). A thematic analysis was used to understand the data. ResultsSocial or interpersonal factors which participants identified as protective against suicidality included, ‘the impact of suicide on others’ and, ‘reflecting on positive social experiences’. Social factors which triggered suicidal thoughts included, ‘negative social experiences’ and, ‘not being understood or acknowledged’. Social factors which worsened suicidal thoughts or facilitated suicidal behaviour were, ‘feeling burdensome,’ and ‘reinforcing negative self-appraisals’. LimitationsSome participants had not experienced suicidal thoughts for many years and were recalling experiences which had taken place over ten years ago. The accuracy and reliability of these memories must therefore be taken into consideration when interpreting the results. ConclusionsThe themes help to enhance current understanding of the ways in which social factors affect suicidality in people who experience bipolar disorder. These results highlight the importance of considering the social context in which suicidality is experienced and incorporating strategies to buffer against the effects of negative social experiences in psychological interventions which target suicide risk in bipolar disorder.

Identification of suicide risk in bipolar disorder.

Identification of suicide risk in bipolar disorder.

Hard Outcomes: Clinical Trials to Reduce Suicide

Hard Outcomes: Clinical Trials to Reduce Suicide