PTSD and Chronic Suicidal Ideation
Post traumatic stress disorder is a psychological consequence of a traumatic
event. Traumatic events range from mass disaster and war to smaller scaler
critical incidents such as violent crimes and motor vehicle accidents.
Suicidal thinking is often increased when an individual is afflicted with
PTSD. A recent CDC study published in the New England Journal of Medicine,
found that suicide rates increase after severe earthquakes, floods and
hurricanes.
The increased mortality rate by suicide confirms the need for mental health
support and intervention following disaster.
A descriptive field study was conducted at the Twin Ports VA outpatient
clinic with 102 subjects, both combat and non-comveterans who suffered from
chronic PTSD.
The study examines the prevelance and frequency of suicidal cognitions and
their relation to suicidal attempts. Counter Suicidal cognitions (CSC) are
also analyzed. CSC are the thoughts and related interventions, the individual
utilized to recover from the episode of suicidal ideation.
A strong focus and distinct understanding of Chronic suicidal ideation and
CSC in PTSD can assist the mental health professional in assessing and
developing prophylactic interventions with this most serious and fatal
sequelae of PTSD.
OBJECTIVES
1) To understand the nature of chronic suicidal ideation and it's relation to
PTSD.
2) To consider the nature and utility of counter suicidal cognitions (CSC)
already used as a self-intervention in many PTSD victims and apply these to
existing thereputic techniques in mental health interventions.
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