Citation

Fialko L, Freeman D, Bebbington PE, Kuipers E, Garety PA, Dunn G, Fowler D. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 2006; 114(3): 177-186.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00849.x

PMID

16889588

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinically important phenomenon of suicidal ideation in psychosis in relation to affective processes and the multidimensional nature of hallucinations and delusions.
METHOD: In a cross-sectional study of 290 individuals with psychosis, the associations between level of suicidal ideation, affective processes, positive symptoms, clinical and demographic variables were examined.
RESULTS: Forty-one per cent of participants expressed current suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was associated with depressed mood, anxiety, low self-esteem, negative illness perceptions, negative evaluative beliefs about the self and others and daily alcohol consumption. Frequency of auditory hallucinations and preoccupation with delusions were not associated with suicidal ideation; however, positive symptom distress did relate to suicidal thoughts.
CONCLUSION: Affective dysfunction, including distress in response to hallucinations and delusions, was a key factor associated with suicidal ideation in individuals with psychotic relapse. Suicidal ideation in psychosis appears to be an understandable, mood-driven process, rather than being of irrational or 'psychotic' origin.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Anxiety Disorders; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Comorbidity; Culture; Delusions; Depressive Disorder; England; Family Therapy; Female; Hallucinations; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Personal Construct Theory; Personality Inventory; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychotic Disorders; Risk Factors; Schizophrenia; Secondary Prevention; Self Concept; Sick Role; Suicide; Suicide Prevention