An Inadequate response to CT Predicts Eventual Suicide

• Dahlsgaard, K. K., Beck, A. T. & Brown, G. K. (1998). Inadequate response to therapy as a predictor of suicide. Suicide & Life-Threatening Behavior, 28, 197-204.

ABSTRACT: The role of response to cognitive therapy as a predictor of suicide was investigated by comparing 17 outpatients with mood disorders who committed suicide with 17 matched patients who did not commit suicide. The suiciders attended significantly fewer sessions of cognitive therapy and dropped out of therapy more frequently: 88% of the suiciders, compared to 53% of the controls, were rated by their therapists as requiring more treatment at termination. They also had higher levels of hopelessness at the termination of therapy. The results suggest that premature termination of therapy and inadequate response to treatment have unfavorable prognostic significance for eventual suicide.

(NOTE: Since presence of an Axis II disorder increases the likelihood of premature termination from CT and also increases suicide risk, this may be an important factor to consider. There also may be other factors which both increase the likelihood of premature termination and increase suicide risk, such as a chaotic family, substance abuse, or poverty.)

Replies:

Does Managed Care also increase Suicide Risk?, by Jim Pretzer, 3/28/99 Suicide & CBT - from Marsha Linehan's presidential address at AABT 2001, by Jim Pretzer, 11/19/01 Suggestions for handling suicidal crises (largely from Marsha Linehan), by Jim Pretzer, 11/24/01 CT for Suicidality (Andrew Butler & Greg Brown at AABT), by Jim Pretzer, 11/19/01

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