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Antecedents of suicide in people with schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2018

Hannele Heilä*
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Erkki T. Isometsä
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Markus M. Henriksson
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Marti E. Heikkinen
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Mauri J. Marttunen
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
Jouko K. Lönnqvist
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland
*
Dr Hannele Heilä, National Public Health Institute, Department of Mental Health and Alcohol Research, Mannerheimintie 166. FIN-00300. Helsinki, Finland. Tel: 358-9-4744 8313; Fax: 358-9-4744 8478; e-mail: Hannele.Heila@ktl.fi

Abstract

Background

Suicides among people with schizophrenia are commonly believed to be impulsive and to occur unexpectedly.

Method

As part of the National Suicide Prevention Project in Finland, a nationwide psychological autopsy study, suicide victims with DSM-III-R schizophrenia (n=86; n=64 in the active illness phase) and others (n=1 109; n=666 without any evidence for psychosis) were compared for communication of suicidal intent (CSI), as well as previous suicide attempts known by the next of kin and/or an attending health care professional during the latest treatment relationship.

Results

More victims with schizophrenia (84%) had a history of previous CSI, and/or had made previous suicide attempt(s) than others (70%). Also, victims with active illness schizophrenia (56%) had more CSI and/or had made suicide attempts during their last three months than victims with no psychosis (41%).

Conclusions

CSI and/or suicide attempts occur at least as often in people with schizophrenia as in those without schizophrenia, even in the active phase of the illness.

Type
Papers
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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