The objective of this study was to predict suicidality in people with schiz
ophrenia, Ninety-six patients with recent-onset schizophrenia were rated ev
ery 2 weeks for 1 year to examine (1) the temporal course of suicidal ideat
ion and suicide attempts and (2) the extent to which anxiety, depression, a
nd mild suicidal ideation were followed by significant suicidal ideation or
a suicide attempt. The severity of suicidality changed rapidly. Low levels
of suicidal ideation increased the risk for significant suicidal ideation
or a suicide attempt during the subsequent 3 months, :Depression was modera
tely correlated with concurrent suicidality, but not independently associat
ed with future suicidality, Therefore, low levels of suicidal ideation may
predict future suicidal ideation or behavior better than depressed mood in
individuals with schizophrenia.