The Feeling of Emptiness: A Risk Factor for Suicide?

A new study conducted by researchers from the Complutense University and the Clínico San Carlos Hospital highlights the feeling of emptiness as a risk factor for suicidal behavior.

The feeling of emptiness is a complex subjective experience, characterized by a lack of meaning, disconnection from oneself and others, and a sense of dissatisfaction with life. While it is a key aspect of several psychological diagnoses (such as borderline personality disorder), people can experience emptiness in their daily lives even in the absence of these diagnoses.

Some studies have linked "feeling empty" with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This year, a joint team of researchers from the Complutense University and the Clínico San Carlos Hospital in Madrid explored this relationship in the Spanish population. They compared self-reported levels of emptiness among individuals who had attempted suicide with those who had never exhibited suicidal behavior.

The results indicate that individuals who had attempted suicide reported higher feelings of emptiness than the general population. Moreover, individuals with multiple suicide attempts scored higher than those with only one attempt. Notably, feelings of emptiness were found to predict new attempts during the year following hospitalization.

Despite its limitations, emptiness emerges as a promising target for therapeutic interventions. Gaining a deeper understanding of this complex subjective experience could help develop better prevention and treatment strategies.

Reference to original work:

Pemau, A., Marin‐Martin, C., de la Torre‐Luque, A., Ayad‐Ahmed, W., Lopez‐Villatoro, J. M., Fernandez‐Rodrigues, V., ... & Diaz‐Marsa, M. (2024). Relationship Between the Feeling of Emptiness and Suicide Reattempt: Conclusions From Cross‐Sectional and Longitudinal Analyses. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 31(5), e70000. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.70000