INTERACTION OF AFFECTIVE AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS IN THE SUICIDAL STATE - A BRIEF ELABORATION

This report examines the comorbidity among three key symptoms associat ed with suicidal intent, namely hopelessness, depression and unusual t hinking. A total of 97 out-patients with suicidal thoughts were assess ed using the Beck Hopelessness Scale, the anxious depression and unusu al thinking factor scales of the Derogatis Symptom Checklist-90, and t he Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation. It was found that, in considering the interaction between key presenting symptoms, the combination of ho pelessness and unusual thinking (which consisted of symptoms such as ' trouble concentrating' and 'mind going blank') was the strongest predi ctor of the seriousness of current suicidal inclinations.