Suicide in Patients with Schizophrenia : A Review on the Findings of Recent Studies / 대한정신분열병학회지

ABSTRACT

The suicide risk of patients with schizophrenia is about 8.5-fold greater than that of the general population. Since 4-13% of patients with schizophrenia commit suicide, and 25-50% attempt suicide at least once during their lifetime, suicide can be a main cause of their higher mortality rate as compared with that of the general population. While evidence suggests that previous depressive disorders, previous suicide attempts, drug misuse, agitation or motor restlessness, fear of mental disintegration, poor adherence to treatment, and recent loss of another person are associated with the increased risk of suicide in schizophrenia, hallucinations have been associated with decreased suicide risk. Despite there being at least modest evidence suggesting that antipsychotics protect against suicidal risk, clozapine has been shown to be the most favorable second-generation antipsychotic for preventing suicide in patients with schizophrenia. In addition, selective serotonin receptor inhibitors can ameliorate suicidal ideation in schizophrenia. Furthermore, individual psychosocial interventions and psychotherapy, and reducing stigma, can be integral strategies for the prevention of suicide in schizophrenia. Further study is needed to identify the epidemiological characteristics and clinical correlates of suicide in Korean patients with schizophrenia, and provide an effective strategy for its prevention in Korea.