During episodes of acute psychosis, individuals with schizophrenia may commit suicide accidentally, which can be caused by hallucinations. However, while such accidental deaths can occur, most suicides among people with schizophrenia are intentional and carefully planned.

Alma College

State University of New York at Buffalo

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Suicide is the largest single contributor to the excess mortality rate among individuals with schizophrenia, accounting for approximately 10% to 13% of premature deaths. The primary causes and pathways of suicide in this population can be classified into depression caused by schizophrenia, accidental suicide during acute psychosis, and an inadequate healthcare care system.

Causes of Suicide among People with Schizophrenia

The high rate of suicide among individuals with schizophrenia is partly attributed to an inadequate and nonsystematic care system. This lack of proper care can manifest as patients receiving inadequate medication management and being told no further options exist, or experiencing abrupt, uncoordinated changes in their treatment plans across different healthcare providers.

Cause of Suicide among People with Schizophrenia: Inadequate Care System

Depression is the single most important cause of suicide among individuals with schizophrenia. Most suicides in this population occur within the first ten years of illness. Individuals at the highest risk of attempting suicide often exhibit a remitting and relapsing course, good insight into their condition, poor response to medication, social isolation, hopelessness, and a stark discrepancy between past achievements and current functioning. Patients with these characteristics and concurrent depression are at critical risk for suicide.

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