DSM–5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms associated with suicide behaviors in veterans.

Abstract

A connection between suicidality and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been consistently demonstrated; however, the underlying relationship between suicidality and PTSD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine patterns of DSM-5 PTSD symptom endorsement that differentiated veteran participants with and without a history of suicide behaviors. We enrolled 95 veterans, 32 of whom reported no suicide ideation (SI) or suicide attempts (SA). The 63 remaining participants reported a history of SI, with 28 of the 63 also reporting a historical SA. Participants completed a standardized diagnostic interview (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR; First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 2002), structured interview of suicidal behaviors (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale; Posner et al., 2011), and selected clinical measures. Veterans who reported SI and/or SA were more likely to meet criteria for PTSD on DSM-5 than were veterans who reported neither SI nor SA. Participants who reported SA were more likely to meet criteria for clusters C and D. Finally, at the symptom level, those who reported SI were more likely to report experiencing feelings of alienation. Those who reported a SA were more likely to report avoidance of thoughts and feelings, inability to recall an important aspect of their trauma, persistent negative beliefs, diminished interest, and feelings of alienation. These findings suggest that targeting specific symptoms of PTSD may aid in treatment of suicidal thoughts and behaviors associated with PTSD.

The protective effects of grit on suicidal ideation in individuals with trauma and symptoms of posttraumatic stress

“…Our results add to the substantial body of literature supporting the clinical relevance of research on the associations between PTSD and suicidal ideation (e.g., Carroll et al, ; Jakupcak et al, ; Legarreta et al, ; Bryan et al, ). However, perhaps the most novel contribution to the literature of our findings relate to the nature of grit.…”

“…For example, interpersonal trauma and sexual discrimination have been associated with engagement in suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; House, Van Horn, Coppeans, & Stepleman, 2011); natural disasters with an increased risk for suicidal behaviors (Kõlves, Kõlves, & De Leo, 2013); and emotional and sexual abuse with suicide attempts (Janiri et al, 2015). Military and veteran studies documenting increased likelihood of suicidal ideation and attempts (Carroll, Currier, McCormick, & Drescher, 2017;Jakupcak et al, 2009;Legarreta et al, 2015;and Stanley, Rogers, Hanson, Gutierrez, & Joiner, 2019) provide further support for these links.…”

Suicidal ideation in military veterans with alcohol dependence and PTSD: The role of hostility

“…A participant was coded as experiencing suicidal ideation at some point in their life if they answered “yes” to either wishing they were dead or could go to sleep and not wake up (Item 1) or having thoughts of killing themselves (Item 2). This is similar to previous studies . Intensity of suicidal ideation was calculated by summing the items on the C‐SSRS that assessed frequency of SI, duration of SI, controllability of SI, deterrents of SI, and reasons for SI, according to the Columbia‐Suicide Severity Rating Scale Scoring and Data Analysis Guide .…”

Suicidal ideation among Chinese methadone-maintained patients: prevalence and correlates

“…This finding is a little different from what is generally acknowledged, that is, depression is the strongest predictor of suicidality in the general population [ 33 , 34 ]. Because post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among Chinese heroin-dependent patients (8.1% prevalence) [ 35 ] and individuals with PTSD are at greater risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors [ 36 ], the strong association between anxiety and suicidal ideation might be a reflection the influence of PTSD on suicidal behaviors.…”