Relationship of depersonalization and suicidality in depressed patients

  • Suzana Tošić Golubović University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia; Clinical Centre Niš, Clinic for Mental Health Protection, Niš, Serbia
  • Olivera Žikić University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia; Clinical Centre Niš, Clinic for Mental Health Protection, Niš, Serbia
  • Violeta Slavković Clinical Centre Niš, Clinic for Psychiatry, Niš, Serbia
  • Gordana Nikolić University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia
  • Maja Simonović University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia
Keywords: depression;, depersonalization;, suicide;, risk factors;, mental disorders;, behaviour;, suicide, attempted.

Abstract


Background/Aim. Depersonalization is considered to be the third leading symptom in psychiatric morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of deperson­alization and different patterns of suicidal behaviour in pa­tients suffering from depresssive disorder. Methods. The study included 119 depressed patients divided into two groups: the first group consisted of depressed patients with clinically manifested depersonalization according to the Cambridge Depresonalisation Scale presented score ≥ 70, and the second group consisted of the patients whithout clinically manifested depersonalization symptomatology, or, it was on the subsyndromal level. Subsequently, these two groups were compared regarding the suicidality indicators. Results. According to the Scale for Suicide Ideation of Beck, the depressed patients with depersonalization had statistically significantly higher scores regarding suicidal ideation, both active and passive, more often manifested suicidal desire, suicidal planning and overall suicidality (< 0.000). Positive ideation, as a protective factor, was re­duced in this group (< 0.000). These patients had more previous suicide attempts (< 0.001) and family history of suicides (= 0.004). The depressed patients with deperson­alization had 8 times more often active suicidal desire, 11 times more often passive suicidal desire and 5 times more often suicidal planning compared to patients without deper­sonalization. Conclusion. Suicidal potential, manifested in various patterns of suicidal behaviour among the patients suffering from depressive disorder with clinically manifested depersonalization is prominent. It is necessary to pay par­ticular attention to depersonalization level during diagnostic and treatment procedure of the depressed patients having in mind that it may be associated with high suicidal potential.

Author Biography

Suzana Tošić Golubović, University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Niš, Serbia; Clinical Centre Niš, Clinic for Mental Health Protection, Niš, Serbia

docent medicinskog fakulteta u Nisu katedra za psihijatriju

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Published
2021/01/08
Section
Original Paper