Management of schizophrenia with suicide risk

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2009 Dec;32(4):863-83. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2009.08.005.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Depression / complications
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Patient Admission / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Compliance
  • Psychometrics
  • Psychotherapy / methods
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / complications*
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy
  • Schizophrenia / therapy
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Suicide / psychology*
  • Suicide Prevention*

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents