A Comparison Between Severe Suicidality and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Behaviors in Bipolar Adolescents Referred to a Psychiatric Emergency Unit

Overview

Journal Brain Sci

Publisher MDPI

Date 2021 Jul 2

PMID 34203874

Citations 7

Authors

Gabriele Masi

Ilaria Lupetti

Giulia DAcunto

Annarita Milone

Deborah Fabiani

Ursula Madonia

Stefano Berloffa

Francesca Lenzi

Maria Mucci

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Severe suicide ideation or attempts and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) present both differences and relevant overlaps, including frequent co-occurrence and shared risk factors. Specific categorical diagnoses, namely bipolar disorder (BD), may affect clinical features and natural histories of suicidal or not suicidal self-harm behaviour. Our study aimed to compare suicidality (severe suicidal ideation or suicidal attempts) and NSSI in referred bipolar adolescents.

Methods: The sample included 95 bipolar adolescents (32 males, 63 females) aged 11 to 18 years. Thirty adolescents with suicide attempts/suicidal ideation and BD (SASIB) were compared with structured measures to 35 adolescents with NSSI and BD, without suicidal ideation or attempts (NSSIB), and to 30 adolescents with BD, without suicidal ideation or attempts or NSSI (CB).

Results: Compared to CB, suicidality and NSSI were both associated with female sex, borderline personality disorder and self-reported internalizing disorders, anxiety/depression and thought disorders. The NSSI were specifically associated with somatic problems. Severe suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were associated with adverse life events, immigration, bullying, eating disorders, social problems, depressive feelings, performance and social anxiety, and feelings of rejection.

Conclusions: Both shared and differential features between suicidal and not suicidal adolescents may represent possible targets for diagnostic and preventative interventions.

Citing Articles

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Cognitive behavioural therapy for social anxiety disorder in people with bipolar disorder: a case series.

Pavlova B, Warnock-Parkes E, Alda M, Uher R, Clark D Int J Bipolar Disord. 2024; 12(1):1.

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Persistent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidality in Referred Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study Exploring the Role of Cyclothymic Temperament.

Masi G, Pisano S, Sesso G, Mazzullo C, Berloffa S, Fantozzi P Brain Sci. 2023; 13(5).

PMID: 37239227 PMC: 10216602. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050755.

How COVID-19 Phases Have Impacted Psychiatric Risk: A Retrospective Study in an Emergency Care Unit for Adolescents.

Mucci M, Lenzi F, DAcunto G, Gazzillo M, Accorinti I, Boldrini S Children (Basel). 2022; 9(12).

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The relationship between negative life events and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) among Chinese junior high school students: the mediating role of emotions.

Jiang Z, Wang Z, Diao Q, Chen J, Tian G, Cheng X Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2022; 21(1):45.

PMID: 36403014 PMC: 9675228. DOI: 10.1186/s12991-022-00423-0.

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