Citation

McGirr A, Tousignant M, Routhier D, Pouliot L, Chawky N, Margolese HC, Turecki G. Schizophr. Res. 2006; 84(1): 132-143.

Affiliation

McGill Group for Suicide Studies, Douglas Hospital Research Centre, 6875 LaSalle blvd, Montreal QC, Canada H4H 1R3.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.schres.2006.02.025

PMID

16626940

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Despite an increased risk for suicide among individuals diagnosed with psychotic disorders, risk factors for completed suicide remain largely unexamined in this population. Using a case-control design, this study aimed to investigate clinical and behavioural risk factors for suicide completion in schizophrenia and other chronic psychotic disorders. METHOD: A total of 81 psychotic subjects were examined; of these, 45 died by suicide. Proxy-based interviews with, on average, 2 informants were conducted using the SCID I and II interviews and a series of personality trait assessments. RESULTS: Psychotic individuals at risk for suicide are most readily identified by the presence of depressive disorders NOS, moderate to severe psychotic symptoms and a family history of suicidal behaviour. They also exhibited fewer negative symptoms, had more comorbid diagnoses and, contrary to findings in other populations, we found that cluster A and C personality trait symptoms seem to have protective effects against suicide in schizophrenics and other chronic psychotic suicides. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that behavioural mediators of suicide risk, such as impulsive-aggressive behaviours, do not play a role in schizophrenic and chronic psychotic suicide. This is contrary to findings in other diagnostic groups, thus implying heterogeneity in predisposing mechanisms involved in suicide.

Language: en