Suicide risk in young schizophrenics

A review of national statistics of suicide in the general population and in those diagnosed as schizophrenic indicates that in the younger age groups, schizophrenics are at a greater risk of committing suicide than those suffering from an affective disorder or neurotic depression. Case examples are given of young schizophrenics who committed suicide. Psychodynamic considerations are discussed, as are implications for the clinician in diagnosing and determining the risk for suicide in young schizophrenics.