Management of schizophrenia with suicide risk.
Suicidal behavior remains a major source of morbidity and mortality among schizophrenics. The National Institute of Mental Health Longitudinal Study of Chronic Schizophrenia found that over a mean of 6 years, 38% of the patients had at least one suicide attempt and 57% admitted to substantial suicidal ideation. Suicide is also a major issue among inpatients, with serious implications for clinical practice and patient-doctor relationships. The management of schizophrenic patients with suicide risk remains a difficult area for clinicians despite attempts to better understand it by gathering experts in the field. This article discusses the frequency of suicidal behavior in schizophrenia, offers a model for understanding it, and discusses various aspects of the management of the at-risk schizophrenic patient.
Roy
Alec
A
Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Healthcare System, Psychiatry Service 116A, East Orange, NJ 070818, USA. Alec.Roy@va.gov
Pompili
Maurizio
M
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011594:Psychometrics; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents