Citation

Voros V, Tényi T, Nagy A, Fekete S, Osvath P. Front. Psychiatry 2021; 12: e598923.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Frontiers Media)

DOI

10.3389/fpsyt.2021.598923

PMID

33868041

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite of the decreasing suicide rates in many countries, suicide is still a major public health concern worldwide. Traditional suicide risk factors have limited clinical predictive value, as they provide little reliable information on the acute psychological processes leading to suicide. Aims: The aim of this analysis is to describe and compare the recently introduced two suicide-specific syndromes [Acute Suicidal Affective Disturbance (ASAD) and Suicidal Crisis Syndrome (SCS)] with the classic psychological features of pre-suicidal crisis and also to assess the clinical utility of the new suicide prediction scales in contrast to classical risk factors.

METHOD: Conceptual analysis.

RESULTS: Suicide-specific syndromes are not novel in terms of symptomatology or dynamics of symptom onset, but in their use of well-defined diagnostic criteria. In addition to symptomatic classification, they also provide an opportunity to objectively measure the current pre-suicidal emotional and mental state by validated tools. Limitations: Future studies need to be completed to prove the reliability and predictive validity of suicide-specific diagnostic categories and the related suicide risk assessment tools.

CONCLUSION: Clinical use of suicide-specific syndromes is suggested. This transdiagnostic approach not only enables a more accurate and objective assessment of imminent suicide risk, but also facilitates research in neuroscience, which represent a major step forward in managing and complex understanding of suicidal behavior.

Language: en

Keywords

suicide prevention; acute suicidal affective disturbance; suicidal crisis syndrome; suicide prediction; suicide risk factors; suicide-specific syndromes