2004 issue 2

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Volume 13, issue 2

Review article

Suicide risk factors in schizophrenia

KATARZYNA SIEROSŁAWSKA1, Joanna Meder1
1. Zakładu Rehabilitacji Psychiatrycznej Instytutu Psychiatrii i Neurologii w Warszawie
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii, 2004, 13 (2), 153-159
Keywords: schizophrenia, suicide risk

Abstract

Aim. To present current views on the risk for suicide attempted by patients with schizophrenia.

Review. The prevalence of suicide attempts among patients with schizophrenia is much higher than that in the general population. It is estimated that about 20-40% of these patients attempt suicide, and 10-13% – commit suicide. Since this phenomenon is so widespread, the following risk factors specific for this group of patients could be distinguished: male sex, the first ten years of the illness, the period immediately following a psychotic episode and within the first six months of hospitalisation, earlier suicide attempts, and severe depressive symptoms. Moreover, specific modes of committing suicide most frequently chosen by the patients can be also distinguished. Apart from identification or the risk factors, protective action of new generation antipsychotic drugs may contribute to suicide prevention

Address for correspondence:
Mgr Katarzyna Sierosławska,
Zakład Rehabilitacji Psychiatrycznej Instytutu Psychiatrii i Neurologii,
ul. Sobieskiego 9,
02-957 Warszawa