Ramunė Mazaliauskienė, Alvydas Navickas
Abstract
Suicides in the course of schizophrenia are a widely recognized problem, yet the suicides during the First Episode Psychosis (FEP) are not much discussed in the literature, though in many cases it is due to a suicide that the patients gets into a contact with mental health services. Suicide is a serious challenge for treatment as many things have to be taken in mind in order to give an adequate treatment and to prevent suicide in future. Current data states that the estimated incidence of suicides during FEP ranges from 8.5 to 11.3%. The most frequent risk factors are: depressive symptoms, especially hopelessness, substance abuse, longer duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), psychosocial stressors and noncompliance. Suicides of schizophrenics for a long time are considered to be somewhat difficult to understand or prevent due to its impulsive character, yet current data also suggest that in many cases suicides are not as impulsive as it is considered. Many patients have contacts with health, including mental health, specialists before suicidal attempt. There are certain signs of their behavior that can help to predict possible suicidal attempt. Programs of early recognition of psychosis, including informational campaign in the society and easy access to mental health services has proven to be effective in prevention of suicides during FEP.
doi:10.5200/sm-hs.2012.034
Keyword(s): suicide, schizophrenia, first episode psychosis, duration of untreated psychosis
DOI: 10.5200/275
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