Alexithymia is not a good predictor of suicidal ideation in patients with social anxiety disorder

Abstract

Objective: This study was to determine the relation between alexithymia and suicidal ideation and factors associated with suicidal ideation in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Also we determined whether alexithymia is predictor of suicidal ideation related with SAD. Methods: One hundred and sixty-four SAD (n=57), panic disorder (PD) (n=58), healthy controls (HC) (n=49) subjects (according to DSM-5) were included to study. Alexithymia was measured by Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20(TAS-20), suicidal ideation was measured by Suicidal Ideation Scale (SIS), social anxiety level were evaluated with Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and anxiety and depression level evaluated with Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory, State and Trait Anxiety Scales. Results: Alexithymia, the rate of was found to be 38.6% in SAD patients and 29.3% in PD patients. In SAD group, significant correlation was found between TAS 20, its factors and SIS. With path analysis, it was found that TAS 20 total scores predicted SIS scores only indirectly and via their effects on trait anxiety and subjective depressive symptoms. Conclusion: In alexithymic SAD patient's suicidal ideation may occur when comorbid depression is present. Based upon the findings alexithymia may not be a good predictor of suicidal ideation for preventing suicidal attempts in patients with social anxiety disorder.