Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Bourgeois, M. Articles by The InterSePT Study Group Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Bourgeois, M. Articles by The InterSePT Study Group, Depression Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Suicide

Awareness of Disorder and Suicide Risk in the Treatment of Schizophrenia: Results of the International Suicide Prevention Trial

OBJECTIVE: Schizophrenia is characterized by high suicide risk and low awareness of disorder. Although awareness has benefits for medication compliance and clinical outcome, it is unclear how it may relate to suicide risk in this population. METHOD: This multicenter investigation assessed awareness and suicide-related behavior in 980 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Patients were followed over 2 years and assessed by blinded raters for suicide-related events. RESULTS: Awareness of psychiatric condition at baseline was associated with increased risk of suicide events over the follow-up. This effect was mediated by depression and hopelessness levels. By contrast, changes in awareness associated with treatment decreased the risk of suicide. CONCLUSIONS: Although some patients may become depressed after acknowledging the clinical handicaps of their disorder, treatment-related changes in awareness are generally associated with a positive outcome relative to suicide risk. The complex interactions and mediation effects of these clinical variables require careful monitoring.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. Bakst, J. Rabinowitz, and E. J. Bromet Antecedents and Patterns of Suicide Behavior in First-Admission Psychosis Schizophr Bull, March 9, 2009; (2009) sbp001v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M. Lincoln, E. Lullmann, and W. Rief Correlates and Long-Term Consequences of Poor Insight in Patients With Schizophrenia. A Systematic Review Schizophr Bull, November 1, 2007; 33(6): 1324 - 1342. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. L. Herbel and H. Stelmach Involuntary Medication Treatment for Competency Restoration of 22 Defendants With Delusional Disorder J Am Acad Psychiatry Law, March 1, 2007; 35(1): 47 - 59. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2004 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us