Suicidal behavior in schizophrenia and depression: a comparison

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the frequencies and suicide attempt characteristics in patients with schizophrenia ( N=25) and major depression in absence of schizophrenia ( N=107). There were no significant differences in attempt methods, but attempters with schizophrenia reported a lower number of life events influencing the attempt (2.0 vs. 2.6), less influence of life events on the attempt (42% vs. 83%) and lower GAF scores (36 vs. 50). Schizophrenia was not associated with higher impulsivity scores but with significantly more lethal attempts (40% vs. 29%) and with a trend toward ( p=0.08) higher scores in aggressive behavior history.