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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.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1600-0447.2006.00849.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Acta Psychiatr Scand

Publication Date

09/2006

Volume

114

Pages

177 - 186

Keywords

Adult, Anxiety Disorders, Cognitive 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