Characteristics of the schizophrenia suicide attempts in comparison with the suicide attempts with other diagnosed psychiatric disorders: An Egyptian study

Background: There has been much literature on schizophrenia, but little is known about the characteristic features of suicide attempts with schizophrenia in comparison with the suicide attempts with other diagnosed psychiatric disorders. Aims: The objective of this study was to clarify the specific characteristics and risk factors among suicide attempters with schizophrenia that differentiate them from other psychiatric disorders. Methods: Thirty-three suicide attempters diagnosed with schizophrenia and 87 suicide attempters with other psychiatric disorders were included. Suicide attempts seriousness were appraised by the Beck's Suicide Intent Scale (BSIS). Standardized scales were applied: Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Version 11 (BIS-11). The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) and The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders (SCID-II) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) was applied to assess the psychiatric status of individuals. Demographic and clinical characteristics, method of suicide and suicide probability scores and impulsivity were compared among both groups (schizophrenia group and other psychiatric disorders group). Results: In total, 27.5% of suicide attempts suffered from schizophrenia. The current study found that having more past history of medical diseases, longer duration of illness, using more violent suicidal methods, and having less significant suicidal ideations were the significant factors that differentiated schizophrenia suicide attempts from those diagnosed with other psychiatric disorders. The schizophrenia group did not show more impulsivity or hostility than other psychiatric disorders group. Conclusion: These results indicated that each group shows its unique characteristics. They give us new perspectives to prevent suicides in schizophrenia according to their different characteristics.