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Suicide in schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Mary Cannon ,
Peter Buckley  and
Conall Larkin
Mary Cannon
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
Peter Buckley
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
Conall Larkin
Affiliation:
Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Newtownpark Avenue, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
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Abstract

Suicide is recognised as the most devastating possible outcome of a schizophrenic illness. This study examined the characteristics of 15 schizophrenic patients who committed suicide. These patients were older and less socially isolated than noted in other research. Drowning was the commonest method of suicide and overall, the methods chosen were comparable to those reported among the general Irish population. A past history of deliberate self harm was common although no temporal relationship between such behaviour and suicide emerged. The findings are discussed in the light of the existing literature on this topic.

Keywords

Suicideschizophrenia.
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , March 1991 , pp. 19 - 21
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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