TY - JOUR PY - 2012// TI - Hopelessness and suicidal risk in bipolar disorder. A study in clinically nonsyndromal patients JO - Comprehensive psychiatry A1 - Acosta, Francisco J. A1 - Vega, Dulcinea A1 - Torralba, Luz A1 - Navarro, Santiago A1 - Ramallo-Fariña, Yolanda A1 - Fiuza, Dolores A1 - Hernández, Josã L. A1 - Siris, Samuel G. SP - 1103 EP - 1109 VL - 53 IS - 8 N2 - OBJECTIVE: Attempted suicide and death due to suicide are not uncommon among patients with bipolar disorder. Although some risk factors for suicidality in bipolar patients have been identified, little is known about hopelessness and other possible trait or diathesis-related factors. Consequently, the objective of this study was to investigate variables associated with suicidal risk in clinically nonsyndromal bipolar patients. METHODS: A sample of 102 outpatients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder according to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision criteria during nonsyndromal stage were evaluated. On the basis of suicidal history, patients were divided into suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, and nonsuicidal groups. Sociodemographic, clinical, and psychopathological variables were assessed. RESULTS: As compared with the nonsuicidal group, female sex, combined psychopharmacologic treatment, and hopelessness were independently associated with suicide attempt. Hopelessness and insight into having a mental disorder were independently associated with history of suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with bipolar disorder and suicidal history are characterized by the presence of hopelessness, which probably confers greater vulnerability for suicidal behavior in the presence of stress factors. This identification of the risk profile for suicidal behavior in nonsyndromal bipolar patients adds complementary information to risk factors established for suicidality during acute phases of the disease, allows for differentiated preventive and treatment approaches of patients at risk, and suggests psychotherapy as an advisable intervention in this group of patients.
Language: en
LA - en SN - 0010-440X UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2012.03.013 ID - ref1 ER -