PTSD From a Suicide Attempt: Phenomenological and Diagnostic Considerations.

OBJECTIVE

A suicide attempt is at least somewhat life-threatening by definition and is, for some, traumatic. Thus, it is possible that some individuals may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a suicide attempt.

METHOD

In this article, we consider whether one's suicide attempt could fulfill Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for a PTSD Criterion A event and contribute to the development of attendant PTSD symptoms (e.g., flashbacks, avoidance, shame/guilt, nightmares); discuss theoretical models of PTSD as they relate to suicide attempts; reflect on factors that might influence rates of suicide attempt-related PTSD; highlight methodological limitations that have hampered our understanding of suicide attempt-related PTSD; and posit areas for future scientific and clinical inquiry.

RESULTS

Strikingly, the degree to which a suicide attempt leads to PTSD is unknown.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude with a call for research to systematically assess for suicide attempts alongside other potentially traumatic experiences (e.g., combat exposure, rape) that are included in standardized PTSD assessments.