**Imported**: 2023-10-26, 21:48 >[!info] >**Published**: 2018-03-15 >**Citations**: >**DOI**: 10.0000/JHSE.1000128 ##### Suicide Risk Linked with Perceived Burdensomeness in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome Pederson, C., & Brookings, J. (2018). _Suicide Risk Linked with Perceived Burdensomeness in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome_. [https://doi.org/10.0000/JHSE.1000128](https://doi.org/10.0000/JHSE.1000128) > [!abstract]- > > **Background**: Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic, invisible illness characterized by orthostatic intolerance and excessive postural tachycardia. Aim: This study focused on the psychological factors underlying suicidal ideation in women with POTS. Method: 475 women with POTS completed the Beck Depression Inventory-1A, Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire, UCLA Loneliness Scale-Revised, and the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised. **Results**: In this study, 64.6% of women with POTS scored in the high-risk group for suicide, 69.1% (328/475) had considered suicide in the past year, and 18.1% (86/475) had made at least one suicide attempt. In a hierarchical multiple regression analysis, perceived burdensomeness, depression, thwarted belongingness, and loneliness explained 34.4% of the variance in suicide scores, controlling for severity and duration of illness. Perceived Burdensomeness, the feeling of being a burden to others, was the strongest predictor of suicidal risk (β=0.46, p<0.001), followed by depression (β=0.17, p=0.006). Loneliness and Thwarted Belongingness did not make unique, significant contributions. **Conclusion**: Nearly two-thirds of our participants were in the high-risk group for suicide. Perceived burdensomeness was a major predictor of suicide risk, more so than depression, thwarted belongingness, or loneliness. Therapeutic interventions to prevent or diminish perceived burdensomeness could decrease suicidal ideation in those with POTS. >