Electrodermal hyporeactivity as a trait marker for suicidal propensity in uni- and bipolar depression

Aims
To confirm this finding and to study electrodermal hyporeactivity relative to type and severity of depression, trait anxiety, its stability and independence of depressive state.

Method
Depressed inpatients (n = 783) were tested for habituation of electrodermal responses and clinically assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the STAI-Trait scale for trait anxiety.

Results
The high sensitivity and specificity of electrodermal hyporeactivity for suicide were confirmed. Its prevalence was highest in bipolar disorders and was independent of severity of depression, trait anxiety, gender and age. Hyporeactivity was stable, while reactivity changed into hyporeactivity in a later depressive episode.

Conclusions
The findings support the hypothesis that electrodermal hyporeactivity is a trait marker for suicidal propensity in depression.

Source: L.H. Thorell, Electrodermal hyporeactivity as a trait marker for suicidal propensity in uni- and bipolar depression. Journal of Psychiatric Research, September 2013