Attempted suicide and depression in schizophrenia

Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1992 Apr;85(4):288-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1992.tb01471.x.

Abstract

The relationships between symptoms and both prior suicide attempts and current suicidal thinking were examined in a sample of schizophrenics at 2 points in time. Fifty subjects meeting DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia were assessed within 1 week of admission, and 41 were reassessed at a 6-month follow-up. On admission, prior suicide attempts were significantly associated with current depression, female sex, lower education and more frequent hospitalization. The association with depression remained significant at follow-up. In addition, current suicidal thinking was associated with depression at both times but also with negative symptoms at time 1 and delusions and hallucinations at time 2. These findings confirm and strengthen prior reports of an association between depression and attempted suicide.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology*
  • Female
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis*
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Suicide, Attempted / prevention & control
  • Suicide, Attempted / psychology*