Schizophrenia and Suicide

Abstract

Suicide is one of the major causes of premature death among patients with schizophrenia. Follow-up studies have estimated that 4-5% of these patients die by suicide. Reducing the high rates of suicide in schizophrenia is possible with understanding of predictive risk factors. Various studies have identified risk factors for suicide in schizophrenia patients. Clinical risk factors include previous suicide attempts, comorbid depression, feelings of hopelessness, concept of insight and substance abuse. Biopsychosocial factors, such as a high intelligence quotient and high level of premorbid functioning, have also been associated with an increased risk of suicide in patients with schizophrenia. The risk of suicide is considered to be highest in the early course of illness. Antipsychotic drugs, in particular clozapine and antidepressants may be helpful in reducing the risk of suicide in schizophrenia.

Keywords

• suicide, schizophrenia, risk factors

Şizofreni ve Özkıyım

Abstract

Özkıyım, şizofreni hastalarında erken ölüm nedenleri arasındadır. İzlem çalışmaları bu hastalarda ölümle sonuçlanan özkıyım girişimlerinin %4-5 oranında görüldüğünü bildirmektedir. Şizofrenideki yüksek özkıyım oranlarının azaltılması, büyük ölçüde öngörücü risk etmenlerinin anlaşılması ile mümkündür. Önceki özkıyım girişimi, eşlik eden depresyon, umutsuzluk, içgörünün korunması ve madde kullanımı şizofreni hastalarında özkıyım riskini arttıran etmenlerdir. Yüksek zeka düzeyi ve yüksek hastalık öncesi işlevsellik gibi biyopsikososyal faktörler de aynı zamanda artmış özkıyım riskiyle ilişkili bulunmuştur. Hastalığın başlangıç dönemi özkıyım riskinin en yüksek olduğu dönemdir. Antipsikotik ilaçların, özellikle klozapininve antidepresanların özkıyım riskini azaltabileceği öngörülmektedir.

Keywords

• özkıyım, şizofreni, risk faktörleri

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