title: Comparison of suicide attempts in schizophrenia and major depressive disorder: an exploratory study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Schizophrenia and major depressive disorder (MDD) are among the most common psychiatric diagnoses associated with suicide. There is a dearth of published research systematically comparing suicidal behavior in schizophrenia and MDD. The present study aimed to compare suicide attempts in schizophrenia and MDD.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this hospital-based, cross-sectional study, 50 outpatients each of schizophrenia and MDD were evaluated for their sociodemographic characteristics. In subjects with a history of suicide attempt(s), additional information related to the attempt(s) was obtained. Suicide Intent Scale (SIS) was used to assess the suicidal intent and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was used to measure the current suicidal risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-four percent and 44% of patients with schizophrenia and MDD, respectively, attempted suicide. The attempters in schizophrenia compared to those in MDD were younger and more likely to be single (unmarried, separated or divorced). Suicidal intent was stronger in schizophrenia, while the attempters with MDD were more often preoccupied with a death wish and reported that stressful life events influenced the attempt. There were no differences in the attempt methods of the two groups. Current suicidal risk was higher in attempters compared to the non-attempters in schizophrenia as well as MDD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Suicide attempts in schizophrenia and MDD have similar features, with quite a few notable differences, which have been discussed at length in the present paper.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, V.S. Hospital, Ahmedabad, India.
authors.forename: Girish H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Banwari
authors.forename: Ganpat K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Vankar
authors.forename: Minakshi N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Parikh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D033182:Intention; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: major depressive disorder; schizophrenia; suicide attempt