title: DSM-5 posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms associated with suicide behaviors in veterans.
abstract: A connection between suicidality and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been consistently demonstrated; however, the underlying relationship between suicidality and PTSD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to examine patterns of DSM-5 PTSD symptom endorsement that differentiated veteran participants with and without a history of suicide behaviors. We enrolled 95 veterans, 32 of whom reported no suicide ideation (SI) or suicide attempts (SA). The 63 remaining participants reported a history of SI, with 28 of the 63 also reporting a historical SA. Participants completed a standardized diagnostic interview (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR; First, Spitzer, Gibbon, & Williams, 2002), structured interview of suicidal behaviors (Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale; Posner et al., 2011), and selected clinical measures. Veterans who reported SI and/or SA were more likely to meet criteria for PTSD on DSM-5 than were veterans who reported neither SI nor SA. Participants who reported SA were more likely to meet criteria for clusters C and D. Finally, at the symptom level, those who reported SI were more likely to report experiencing feelings of alienation. Those who reported a SA were more likely to report avoidance of thoughts and feelings, inability to recall an important aspect of their trauma, persistent negative beliefs, diminished interest, and feelings of alienation. These findings suggest that targeting specific symptoms of PTSD may aid in treatment of suicidal thoughts and behaviors associated with PTSD.
authors: Rocky Mountain Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.
authors: Margaret
authors: M
authors: Legarreta
authors: Rocky Mountain Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.
authors: Jessica
authors: J
authors: Graham
authors: Rocky Mountain Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.
authors: Lindsey
authors: L
authors: North
authors: Brain Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine.
authors: C Elliott
authors: CE
authors: Bueler
authors: Rocky Mountain Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.
authors: Erin
authors: E
authors: McGlade
authors: Rocky Mountain Network Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Centers, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Yurgelun-Todd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data