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Suicidal ideation in youth with tic disorders
Carly Johnco1, Joseph F McGuire2, Nicole M McBride3
1Department of Pediatrics, University of South Florida, USA; Centre for Emotional Health, Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|May 3, 2016
Summary
Suicidal ideation (SI) affects 8-11% of youth with tic disorders (TD). Comorbid anxiety and depression, not tics, increase SI risk, highlighting the importance of addressing psychiatric comorbidities in TD.
Area of Science:
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Tic disorders (TD) are associated with various comorbidities.
- Suicidal ideation (SI) is a significant concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the correlates of SI in youth with TD is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of suicidal ideation (SI) in youth with tic disorders (TD).
- To examine the clinical correlates of SI severity in youth with TD.
- To assess the independent contribution of tics, anxiety, depressive, and externalizing symptoms to SI in youth with TD.
Main Methods:
- 75 treatment-seeking youth (aged 6-18) with TD participated.
- Data collection included diagnostic assessments, clinician ratings, and self/parent reports.
- Measures assessed emotional functioning, SI presence, and severity.
Main Results:
- 61% of youth reported SI; 8% exceeded clinical cut-offs (youth report).
- SI correlated with anxiety, depression, externalizing symptoms, affective lability, and poorer functioning.
- Anxiety, depressive, and externalizing symptoms independently predicted SI; tic severity did not directly correlate with SI.
Conclusions:
- Approximately 8-11% of youth with TD experience SI.
- Psychiatric comorbidities (anxiety, depression), not tics, significantly increase SI risk.
- Interventions should focus on managing comorbid conditions in youth with TD to mitigate suicidality risk.