Abstract
The reviewed literature suggests suicidal cognitions is recurrent in nature, and how relapse is caused by cognitive reactivity as hypothesised by the differential activation hypothesis. Due to activation of mental nodes inheriting depressive and/or suicidal cues (either in the form of thoughts, mood, memories or body postures, a reactivation of a specific depressogenic and/or suicidal constellation, may be established. Increased abstract-analytical (and language-based) processing and a cognitive loop of depressogenic specific (contrary to implicit and holistic) cognitions is suggested to found the base in which the phenomenon of over-general memories, toxic self-discrepancies and rumination may arise. Suicidal individuals may be more sensitized to reactivation of discrepancy-based processing inducing self-discrepancies and hopelessness which may be linked to a detoriation of problem solving-abilities. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), is a cognitive science-modification of Jon Kabat Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) subsumed under so-called third-wave cognitive behavioural therapies which emphasis on process rather than content, relationship to symptoms and on self-compassion is put to the fore. Reviewed literature suggests MBCT targets the mechanisms causing reactivation and discrepancy-based processing in depressed patients, and given the similaties between mechansism driving symptom maintenance and relapse between recurrent depression and recurrent suicidality, MBCT there is an emerging evidence base on MBCT administrated to clients who suffer from recurrent suicidality. Although preliminary, the evidence- base for MBCT administrated as a treatment for recurrent may be especially useful for patients struggling with recurrent suicidality. However, the body of evidence is still small, and there are few studies specifically targeting individuals with a previous history of deliberate self-harm, most commonly it has not been distinguished between patients struggling with suicidal cognitions and those also engaging in deliberate self-harm. Implications for future research are discussed.