Citation

Alejos M, Vázquez-Bourgon J, Santurtún M, Riancho J, Santurtún A. Neurologia 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Sociedad Española de Neurología, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.nrl.2020.03.003

PMID

32586697

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Neurological diseases are the leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Physical and psychological pain, despair, and disconnection with the environment are observed after the diagnosis of numerous neurological processes, particularly neurodegenerative diseases.

DEVELOPMENT: A higher risk of suicide is observed in patients with such common neurological diseases as epilepsy, migraine, and multiple sclerosis, as well as in those with such degenerative disorders as Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. In most cases, suicidal ideation appears in the early stages after diagnosis, in the presence of disabling symptoms, and/or in patients with psychiatric comorbidities (often associated with these neurological diseases).

CONCLUSIONS: Effective suicide prevention in this population group requires assessment of the risk of suicide mainly in newly diagnosed patients, in patients showing unmistakable despair or disabling symptoms, and in patients presenting psychiatric comorbidities (especially depressive symptoms). It is essential to train specialists to detect warning signs in order that they may adopt a suitable approach and determine when psychiatric assessment is required.

Language: en

Keywords

Prevention; Suicide; Risk factor; Enfermedades neurodegenerativas; Enfermedades neurológicas; Factor de riesgo; Neurodegenerative diseases; Neurological diseases; Prevención; Suicidio