Suicidal behavior in schizophrenia: Characteristics of individuals who hadand had not attempted suicide

Objective: This study compares demographic and clinical characteristics of 52 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who had attem pted suicide with those of 104 individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffe ctive disorder who had not made a suicide attempt. Method: Participants wer e interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies, Results: M ost suicide attempts were of moderate to severe lethality, required medical attention, and involved significant suicidal intent. Individuals who had a nd had not attempted suicide did not differ with respect to demographic var iables, duration of illness, rate of depression, or substance abuse. The tw o groups are affected differentially when depressed. Conclusions: Biopsycho social assessments and interventions are essential for reducing the risk fo r suicidal behavior in individuals with schizophrenia.