STUDY OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS CASES IN SCHIZOPHRENIA
Abstract
Disease characterized by remissions and exacerbations is known as Schizophrenia which reduces the life expectancy of those afflicted by approximately 10 years. Suicide is known as cause of premature death among patients suffering with schizophrenia. About 10% has been estimated of completed suicide lifetime prevalence in patient. Risk factors for attempting suicide among patients with schizophrenia are as male gender, marital status, age under 30 years, history of substance abuse, history of depression, previous suicide attempts and recent discharge from the hospital as well as experiencing hopelessness and fear of disintegration are also at high risk for suicide. In India due to suicide More than one lakh lives are lost every year. In few years past (from 1975 to 2005), about 43% suicide rate was increased. However the ratio between male-female has been stable at around 1.4 to 1. wide variation in suicide rates was found in India; especially southern states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have a suicide rate of >15 while in the Northern States of Punjab, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, the suicide rate is <3.
Aim: The main aim of this study is to find suicide attempters in schizophrenia with possible recognition of risk factors.
Material and method: This study was carried out in KM medical college and hospital in the department of psychiatric department. This study was carried on with the period of 1 year with 100 patients suffering from schizophrenia for diagnostic criteria attending the outpatient department for treatment. Result: In the study population 32 % had attempted suicide while 68 % did not have a history of suicide attempt. Out of the study group who attempted suicide, 9.4% were below 21 years, 37.5 % were between 21 and 30 years, 31.3 % were between 31 and 40 years, 15.6 % were between 41 and 50 years, and 6.3% between 51 and 60 years. In the group which attempted suicide, 34.4% were married, 43.8% were unmarried, 6.3% were separated, and 15.6% were divorced. In SE Status which attempted suicide, 62.5% were from lower socio-economic group, 28.1% were from middle socio-economic group, and 9.4% belonged to higher socio-economic group. Whereas in occupation attempted suicide, 18.8% were housewives, 12.5% were in skilled jobs, 46.9 % were in unskilled jobs, and 21.9% were unemployed. According to family history who attempted suicide, 21.9% had no family history of mental illness or suicide, 34.4% had family history of mental illness, 28.1% had family history of suicide, and 15.6% had family history of both mental illness and suicide.
Conclusion: Especially when the illness is acute and severe, in early stages, sufferings from schizophrenia are at a high risk for suicidal attempts. More attention for the higher risk group includes those with a family history of suicide and people’ communicating their intention. Hence effective medical and social risk factors and effective monitoring of treatment is important which keep a step towards meeting one of the greatest unmet challenges in psychiatry “Suicide in Schizophrenia.”
Key words: schizophrenia, Suicide, Risk factors and psychiatry
