A Comparison of Alexithymia in Individuals with Suicidal Ideation, Attempted Suicide, and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Authors : Sertaç Zengil, Orhan Delice, Hilal Uygur

Pages : 386-391

Doi:10.54005/geneltip.1444016

View : 66 | Download : 90

Publication Date : 2024-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Background/Aims: Alexithymia is a concept characterized by the impairment of an individual’s awareness of his feelings and ability to clearly identify and describe them. This study investigated whether alexithymia levels would differ in three different groups consisting of participants exhibiting suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Methods: Seventy-five cases presenting to the psychiatry clinic and emergency department due to suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, or non-suicidal self-injury and 25 healthy controls were included in the study. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were applied to all participants. The individuals taking part were assigned into three different groups for comparisons, suicidal ideation, attempted suicide, and NSSI. Results: TAS-20 scores (55.88±13.23) and HDRS scores (21.89±9.14) were higher in the case groups than in the healthy controls (38.44±11.72 and 1.96±2.51, respectively) (p<0.001). Significantly higher TAS-20 scores were determined in the group with NSSI than in the attempted suicide group. Mean scores for the TAS subscales TAS-A (difficulty identifying feelings) and TAS-B (difficulty describing feelings) were significantly higher in the NSSI group than in the attempted suicide group. Positive correlation was detected between severity of depression and alexithymia levels, TAS-20 scores, TAS-A scores, TAS-B scores, and TAS-C (externally oriented thinking) scores. Conclusion: The data from this study indicate that alexithymia levels in NSSI are higher than in individuals with attempted suicide and suicidal ideation. This finding reveals the importance of also examining individuals with NSSI in terms of alexithymia.
Keywords : Aleksitimi, intihar girişimi, intihar amaçlı olmayan kendine zarar verme, intihar düşüncesi