Are neurotic personality traits and neurotic symptoms intensity associated with suicidal thoughts reported by patients of a day hospital for neurotic disorders?

AIM

Analysis of prevalence and intensity of suicidal thoughts and their associations with neurotic personality traits as well as neurotic symptoms intensity in patients participating in qualification for hospitalization in a day hospital for treatment of neurotic and behavioral disorders.

METHODS

The results of Symptom Checklist KO"0", Neurotic Personality Questionnaire KON-2006 and Life Inventory of 1063 patients (739 women and 324 men), admitted to psychotherapy in a day hospital because of neurotic, behavioral and personality disorders.

RESULTS

In the population of patients coming for treatment in the day hospital, the presence of suicidal ideations (SI) was common (reaching one-third of the respondents) and was regardless of the respondents'gender associated with significantly higher global symptom level (OWK) and significantly greater global neurotic personality disintegration (XKON) as well as significantly higher values of most of the neurotic personality inventory scales. None of the neurotic personality traits reduced the risk of suicidal ideation nor was associated with low SI arduousness.

CONCLUSIONS

Day hospital patients reporting SI are a subgroup burdened with more severe neurotic disorders and comorbid personality disorders. Thus, the persons reporting in symptom questionnaires willingness to take one's own life, although relatively frequently encountered, deserve special attention due to the greater severity of their symptoms.