Does CBT for anxiety-related disorders alter suicidal ideation? Findings from a naturalistic sample. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brown, Lily A.; Gallagher, Thea; Petersen, Julie; Benhamou, Kathy; Foa, Edna B.; Asnaani, Anu
• Is Part Of: Journal of anxiety disorders. Volume 59(2018:Oct.)
• Page Start: 10
• Page End: 16
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Suicide -- Anxiety disorders -- Naturalistic research -- Posttraumatic stress disorder -- Cognitive behavior therapy; Anxiety -- Periodicals; Anxiety Disorders -- Periodicals; Angoisse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.8522
• DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2018.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6185

Abstract

Highlights: PTSD and SAD were associated with elevated SI at baseline. Significant reductions in SI were observed across all participants. When divided by diagnosis, PTSD and unspecified anxiety were associated with significant SI reductions. Rates of exacerbation in SI were low. Abstract: Background: Anxiety disorders commonly co-occur with suicidal ideation (SI). To our knowledge, no studies have reported on the baseline prevalence of SI and the reduction in SI in a naturalistic sample receiving cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for anxiety-related disorders. Methods: Participants ( n = 355) recruited from an anxiety specialty clinic reported SI at pre-, mid-, and post-CBT. Multilevel mixed effects logistic regression models compared differences in SI endorsement over Time. Results: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) were associated with significantly elevated baseline SI relative to specific phobia. PTSD and unspecified anxiety-related disorders were associated with significant reductions in SI, whereas reductions in SAD, GAD, OCD, and panic disorder did not reach significance. Rates of new onset and exacerbation of SI were low. Discussion: CBT for anxiety disorders was associated with significant reductions in SI over time, with no evidence for exacerbation of suicide risk. Clinical implications are discussed, as well as future research directions to further understand the effect of anxiety disorder treatments on SI.