The aim of the study was to examine the state of the emotional sphere in patients with suicidal intent in intensive care units.

To achieve this aim, 91 patients from resuscitation and intensive care units of somatic hospitals were examined. All patients were divided into two groups. The first group comprised 42 patients with acute conditions of therapeutic profile (ACTP) — myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. The second group comprised 49 perioperative patients with polytrauma.

All patients underwent a clinical–psychopathological and psychodiagnostic examination. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for the subjective assessment of depressive symptom severity and the Spielberger–Khanin State–Trait Anxiety Inventory were used. A fairly high level of depression and anxiety manifestations was found in all patients. At the same time, substantial differences between the patient groups were observed. Thus, 57.14 % of ACTP patients showed a severe degree of depression, 38.10 % a moderate degree, and only 4.76 % a mild degree, whereas group 2 patients assessed their condition less negatively: 51.02 % of perioperative patients showed a moderate degree of depression, 12.25 % a mild degree, and only 36.73 % a severe degree.

High state-anxiety scores were observed in both groups of patients — in 73.80 % of ACTP patients and 87.76 % of perioperative patients. Trait-anxiety scores differed substantially between the study groups. A high level of trait anxiety was characteristic of 80.95 % of ACTP patients but only 44.91 % of perioperative patients. A moderate level of trait anxiety prevailed in 55.09 % of perioperative patients and in only 19.05 % of ACTP patients.

For patients in the first group the most significant factors for suicide risk were disorders of the emotional sphere manifesting as a high degree of depression, a high level of trait anxiety, and prolonged stress-inducing events in the premorbid period. For patients in the second group the most significant factors for suicide risk were disorders of the emotional sphere manifesting as a high level of state anxiety, volitional and affective disturbances, and acute stress-inducing events in the premorbid period.

The findings obtained provided a basis for defining the principles for developing a prevention programme addressing self-destructive behaviour and suicidal intent in patients with acute conditions of therapeutic profile and in perioperative patients in resuscitation and intensive care wards/ units of general somatic hospitals. The programme is built on personalised preventive psychiatric and medico-psychological support for patients.