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Related Concept Videos

Borderline Personality Disorder01:25

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder is a complex and multifaceted mental health condition characterized by pervasive instability in interpersonal relationships, self-image, emotions, and impulse control. This instability manifests in extreme emotional reactions, fear of abandonment, and self-destructive behaviors. The disorder significantly impacts daily functioning, often leading to distress in both personal and professional domains.
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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
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An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents

Published on: December 2, 2015

Is Chronic Emptiness a Transdiagnostic Suicide Risk Factor?

Madisyn Arnold1,2, Mark Zimmerman1

  • 1From South County Psychiatry, Cranston, Rhode Island.

Journal of Personality Disorders
|June 2, 2026
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Chronic emptiness is linked to suicidal ideation across many psychiatric diagnoses. This feeling also increases suicide attempt risk in major depressive and social anxiety disorders, suggesting a broad connection to suicidality.

Keywords:
emptinessoutpatientrisk factorsuicide

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Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)
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Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
06:55

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Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)
05:47

Animal Models of Depression - Chronic Despair Model (CDM)

Published on: September 23, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Mental Health Research

Background:

  • Previous studies link chronic emptiness and suicidality in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
  • However, emptiness is also reported by a significant portion of non-BPD patients.
  • The transdiagnostic nature of emptiness requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between chronic emptiness and suicidal behavior in a large psychiatric outpatient sample.
  • To determine if this association extends beyond BPD to other psychiatric diagnoses.
  • To explore the prevalence of chronic emptiness and its correlation with suicidal ideation and attempts.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 3,284 psychiatric outpatients.
  • Employed Structured Interview for DSM-IV Personality (SIDP-IV), Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV (SCID-IV), and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (SADS) for evaluations.
  • Assessed for chronic emptiness and suicidal behaviors, including ideation and attempts.

Main Results:

  • Found significant associations between suicidal ideation and chronic emptiness across multiple diagnoses, including major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and alcohol use disorder.
  • Identified that chronic emptiness was linked to a higher prevalence of suicide attempts in patients with major depressive disorder and social anxiety disorder.
  • Demonstrated a transdiagnostic relationship between chronic emptiness and suicidal ideation.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic feelings of emptiness are transdiagnostically related to suicidality.
  • Emptiness may be a significant factor contributing to suicidal ideation and attempts in diverse psychiatric populations.
  • Findings enhance understanding of the complex relationship between emptiness and suicidal behaviors in clinical settings.