Citation

Belli H, Aslaner D, Akbudak M, Ural C, Koşar M, Nacar SM. Yeni Symp. 2011; 49(4): 240-244.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

PURPOSE: This review article is aimed to discuss and evaluate the causative risk factors of the development of a suicidal behavior and the effectiveness and outcomes of the preferred atypical antipsychotics in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia.

METHOD: Psychiatric literature was scanned for this purpose. All articles written 1970 to 2010 in the scientific database were reviewed.

DISCUSSION: It has been already known for a long time that completed or triled suicide attempt rates are high among patients having a diagnosis of schizophrenia. High risk is associated with male sex, previous suicide attempts, depressive symptoms, early stages of disease, high frequency of hospitalization, premorbid social malfunction, abuse and traumatic experiences in childhood and a family history of suicide. These are predisposing factors which should be regarded. It is also known that the period following discharge from hospital is particularly risky, since frequency of suicide attempts are increased in this period. Present data shows that clozapine is the best choice of treatment to prevent suicide directed behavior in schizophrenics. However other atypical antipsychotics like olanzapine, risperidone, amisulpride, ziprasidone and aripiprazole are also known to be a choice of treatment.

CONCLUSION: Patients with a suicide risk should be determined and followed closely and frequently in clinical practice.

Language: en

Keywords

Risk factors; human; Suicide; Schizophrenia; schizophrenia; suicidal behavior; risk factor; review; data base; medical literature; mental patient; drug efficacy; atypical antipsychotic agent; Atypical antipsychotics