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Psychological pain and suicidal behavior: A review
Ilya Baryshnikov1, Erkki Isometsä2
1Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|October 7, 2022
Summary
Psychological pain, or psychache, is a key factor in suicidal ideation and behavior. Further research is needed to fully understand its role in predicting suicide risk.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Suicidal process understanding remains limited despite extensive research on risk factors.
- Psychological pain (mental pain or psychache) is a central concept in major suicide theories.
- Recent interest links psychological pain, pain processing, suicide neurobiology, and buprenorphine's effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concept of psychological pain in relation to suicidal behavior.
- To outline the history, definition, and measurement tools for psychological pain.
- To summarize empirical research and suggest future research directions.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of existing literature.
- Examination of psychological theories of suicide.
- Synthesis of empirical studies on psychological pain and suicidal behavior.
Main Results:
- Growing evidence links psychological pain to suicidal ideation and acts in various samples.
- The neurobiology of pain processing and suicide shows complex interconnections.
- Buprenorphine shows potential antisuicidal effects, possibly linked to pain modulation.
Conclusions:
- Psychological pain is a significant factor in the suicidal process.
- Further research is crucial to clarify the role of psychological pain in predicting suicidal behavior.
- Understanding psychological pain mechanisms can inform suicide prevention strategies.
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