Circumstances of suicide among individuals with schizophrenia

Very little is known about the circumstances surrounding suicides in people with schizophrenia. Between September 1989 and August 1998, 15 and 100 suicide victims with and without schizophrenia, respectively, were examined from the Maryland Brain Collection (MBC). Next-of-kin interview and medical record review following death collected demographic and clinical characteristics, family history, psychiatric symptoms, and variables surrounding the suicide. Individuals with schizophrenia exhibited significantly more lifetime depressive symptoms than those without schizophrenia. Jumping from a height was the most frequently used method among people with schizophrenia (40%), whereas gunshot wounds were most common among persons without schizophrenia (37%). A trend was noted for a smaller proportion of those with schizophrenia (20%) to plan the suicide, compared to 47% of those without the disorder. Suicide in schizophrenia is a significant clinical problem; thus, prior suicidal activity and depressive symptoms should be addressed because opportunities to intervene immediately before the act are limited.