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Perseveration and Suicide in Huntington's Disease
Olivia C Roman1, Jeffrey Stovall2, Daniel O Claassen3
1School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Journal of Huntington'S Disease
|April 5, 2018
Summary
Perseverative behavior, not impulsivity, may drive suicide attempts in Huntington's disease (HD) patients. This study highlights the role of ruminating on distressing thoughts preceding planned suicide attempts in individuals with HD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Genetics
Background:
- Huntington's disease (HD) patients exhibit a heightened risk for suicidal behavior.
- Cognitive and behavioral factors are crucial in understanding suicide attempts within the HD population.
- While impulsivity is a known risk factor, it doesn't fully explain all suicide attempts in HD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of perseverative behavior in precipitating suicide attempts among Huntington's disease patients.
- To present clinical evidence linking perseveration to suicidal behavior in HD.
Main Methods:
- A case review methodology was employed.
- The study focused on four patients diagnosed with Huntington's disease who had previously attempted suicide.
Main Results:
- All reviewed patients exhibited a history of perseverative behavior.
- Patients reported perseverating on distressing thoughts leading up to their suicide attempts.
- The suicide attempts were characterized as planned responses to these ruminations.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests that uncontrollable, distressing thoughts (perseveration) precede planned suicide attempts in some Huntington's disease patients.
- Unlike impulsive actions, these suicide attempts appeared to be thoughtfully planned, stemming from persistent rumination.