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Recent scholarly investigation of suicidal ideation has been largely based on identifying associated factors and using ideation-to-action theories to explain its occurrence. However, this approach may not be sufficient, as many aspects of suicidal ideation fall beyond the reach of such conceptualizations. The overemphasis on explaining rather than understanding this phenomenon is a significant factor in this insufficiency. As such, it is argued that qualitative methods that use data to derive theories could offer a more nuanced understanding of suicidal ideation. By adopting bottom-up approaches, researchers can explore how individuals experience and understand suicidal ideation and how it relates to their lives and experiences. Furthermore, use of qualitative research methods could aid in development of more accurate and inclusive definitions that are more firmly grounded in data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article discusses a study to examine the clinical effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in mania or hypomania. The study reveals the result using placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial a within-group efficacy for glutathione precursor as compared to placebo. It is concluded that future trials need to be designed to evaluate the efficacy of NAC in mania.

Objective: Although bipolar disorder is a major contributor to functional impairment worldwide, an independent impact of bipolar disorder and ageing on functioning has yet to be demonstrated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of bipolar disorder on age-related functional status using matched controls as a standard. Method: One-hundred patients with bipolar disorder and matched controls were evaluated for disability. Age-related effects controlled for confounders were cross-sectionally evaluated. Results: Patients were significantly more impaired than controls. Regression showed effects for aging in both groups. The effect, size, however, was significantly stronger in patients. Conclusion: Bipolar disorder was an important effect modifier of the age impact on functioning. While a longitudinal design is needed to effectively demonstrate this different impact, this study further depicts bipolar disorder as a chronic and progressively impairing illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. While there is a recommendation to screen for postpartum depression (PPD), there are worries about the validity of instruments other than the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale; little is known about the construct validity of one of the most used screening instruments, the Beck Depression Inventory, in this period. Methods. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the BDI in a population-based sample of women and their spouses (n=772) in the postpartum. Additionally, we compared factor scores within the couple. Results. Exploratory factor analysis demonstrated a two-factor solution (depressive symptoms and somatic symptoms), accounting for 44.01% of the total variance. Internal consistency was good (Cronbach's α=0.90). Women had higher scores than their partners in both factors (P<0.001), but not a higher proportion of the total score attributable to somatic symptoms. Conclusion. With little factor variance between women and men, and a similar proportion of somatic symptoms, these results should be taken to reinforce the validity of the BDI in the postpartum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]