Phenomenological Analysis of Suicidal Behavior in Patients With Cognitive Impairment in Recurrent Depressive Disorder

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the characteristics of suicidal behaviour (SB) in patients with cognitive impairment in recurrent depressive disorder (RDD). Materials and methods: The article presents a phenomenological analysis of suicidal behavior in 123 patients with recurrent depressive disorder. The study of cognitive dysfunctions in patients with recurrent depressive disorder included an analysis of the severity of cognitive impairment and the characteristics of cognitive processes, executive functions, and the specifics of social functioning. The study of the features of suicidal behavior included an analysis of the severity of suicidal risk, diagnosis of symptoms, stress level, suicidal behavior in the past, communication capabilities, reactions of significant others, and the severity of autoaggressive predictors. A complex of research methods was used: clinical-psychopathological, psychometrical, psychodiagnostical and statistical. Results: It was determined that patients with recurrent depressive disorder have specific characteristics of suicidal behavior, which included: a moderate to low level of suicidal risk; the severity of symptoms of depression, tension, anxiety, guilt, hopelessness and exhaustion; repeated visits to doctors for help; presence and recurrence of stress factors; anamnestic burden; violation of communications; the presence of autoaggressive predictors. Conclusions: It was found that a weak level of cognitive deficit, a tendency to catastrophisation and self-blame, low switchability and increased focus on negative stimuli in patients with recurrent depressive disorder was associated with a high risk of their suicidal behavior.