[Suicide of the schizophrenic patient and its relation to the therapeutic situation]

The relationship between the course of illness and the therapeutic circumstances was investigated in 6 cases of schizophrenic patients who had committed suicide. All patients committed suicide following repeated stationary treatments with only partial remission. More than previously reported in the literature insufficient treatment on one side and a breakdown of the therapeutic relationship to the doctor with the following repulsion and hopelessness on the other side appear to determine the suicidal dynamics in the context of a multidimensional concept of suicide: If insufficient therapeutic efficacy disappoints doctor and patient and if the patient cannot fulfill rehabilitation requirements, he is often given up and then gives up himself. From that, suicideprophylactic aspects should be derived.