Suicidal behavior in schizophrenia: characteristics of individuals who had and had not attempted suicide.
OBJECTIVE
This study compares demographic and clinical characteristics of 52 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who had attempted suicide with those of 104 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who had not made a suicide attempt.


METHODS
Participants were interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies.


RESULTS
Most suicide attempts were of moderate to severe lethality, required medical attention, and involved significant suicidal intent. Individuals who had and had not attempted suicide did not differ with respect to demographic variables, duration of illness, rate of depression, or substance abuse. The two groups are affected differentially when depressed.


CONCLUSIONS
Biopsychosocial assessments and interventions are essential for reducing the risk for suicidal behavior in individuals with schizophrenia.
Harkavy-Friedman
J M
JM
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, USA.
Restifo
K
K
Malaspina
D
D
Kaufmann
C A
CA
Amador
X F
XF
Yale
S A
SA
Gorman
J M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*