Psychopathological features and suicidal ideation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.
Psychopathological diagnosis has become increasingly important in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), since the recent emphasis on the comprehensive management and end-of-life decisions. Rorschach test is the third most commonly used psychological instrument worldwide and can offer a different approach from self-reporting questionnaires, mainly providing information on issues of which individuals may be unaware or unwilling to admit to. Forty-two ALS patients underwent a psychopathological assessment with the Rorschach test. Psychopathological data were also correlated with skeletal muscle strength as measured by MRC scale and functional evaluation as ALSFRSr and FVC values. Psychopathological features, including suicidial ideation, were more frequent in the recently diagnosed ALS patients. These features were observed to be different according to the kind of functional impairment. Rorschach test may be an useful tool to assess psychopathological features in ALS. Results of our study highlight the need of an early psychopathological diagnosis and specific psychotherapeutic treatment in patients with ALS.
Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, via Giustiniani 5, Padua, Italy. arianna.palmieri@unipd.it
Arianna
A
Palmieri
Gianni
G
Sorarù
Elisa
E
Albertini
Carlo
C
Semenza
Francesca
F
Vottero-Ris
Carla
C
D'Ascenzo
Giorgia
G
Querin
Alessandro
A
Zennaro
Elena
E
Pegoraro
Corrado
C
Angelini
D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D012392:Rorschach Test / Q000592:standards; D059020:Suicidal Ideation