Citation

Fenton WS. Suicide Life Threat. Behav. 2000; 30(1): 34-49.

Affiliation

Clinical Affairs, Division of Mental Disorders, Behavioral Research and AIDS, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, American Association of Suicidology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10782717

Abstract

Suicide is the single largest cause of premature death among individuals with schizophrenia. Furthermore, epidemiological data indicate that nearly 80% of patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia will experience a major depressive episode at some time during their lifetime. This report reviews recent findings relative to the risk of suicide in schizophrenia, including data from the Chestnut Lodge longitudinal study of schizophrenia subtypes and symptom domains. Paradoxically, those patients with schizophrenia who are most likely to recover or experience a good outcome are also those at greatest risk for suicide. The reduction of morbidity and mortality in schizophrenia should include depression and suicidality as targets for both psychopharmacological and psychosocial treatment.