Alexithymia Intervention for Suicide

Launched by VA OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT · Feb 10, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new approach to help reduce the risk of suicide among veterans who struggle with serious mental health issues, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers believe that difficulties in understanding and expressing emotions, known as alexithymia, may contribute to social challenges and increased suicide risk. The study involves a combination of educational sessions and the use of smartphone technology to help participants improve their emotional awareness and social functioning.

To be eligible for this trial, participants must be between 65 and 74 years old and have a diagnosed mental health condition like PTSD, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. They should also be at risk of suicide, which means they may have had suicidal thoughts or attempts in the past. Those who join the study can expect to engage in a program designed to improve their emotional skills and social interactions, which could ultimately help reduce their risk of suicide. It’s important to note that participants need to be able to understand the study's risks and benefits and must not have any medical conditions that could interfere with their involvement. The trial is currently seeking volunteers.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • a DSM-V diagnosis of PTSD
• • bipolar disorder
• • MDD
• • schizophrenia
• • at risk of suicide(Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
• • C-SSRS \>=3 or a suicide attempt in the past 5 years)
• • limited emotion awareness (Toronto Alexithymia Scale; TAS-20 \>=52)
• • can understand all the study's risks and benefits
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • have medical/neurological conditions that could interfere with study participation
• • enrolled in another treatment study
• • unable/unwilling to provide a verifiable contact for emergency purposes