Schizophrenia patients are at a higher risk for suicide attempts, compared to those without the mental disorder. The Canadian study looked at 21,700 individuals where 101 were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Thirty-nine percent of schizophrenia patients attempted suicide, compared to only three percent of the population without the mental disorder.
Study author Esme Fuller-Thomson said, “Even after taking into account most of the known risk factors for suicide attempts, those with schizophrenia had six times the odds of having attempted suicide, in comparison to those without schizophrenia.
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The researchers then focused on the 101 schizophrenia patients and found that “women and those with a history of drug or alcohol abuse and/or major depressive disorder were much more likely to have attempted suicide,” explained coauthor Bailey Hollister.
Fuller-Thomson concluded, “Knowledge of the added risk of suicide attempts associated with childhood abuse and substance abuse could help clinicians improve targeting and outreach to this population.”
Also read: Schizophrenia patient’s risk of death from heart disease, respiratory diseases is higher
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Devon Andre has been involved in the health and dietary supplement industry for a number of years. Devon has written extensively for Bel Marra Health. He has a Bachelor of Forensic Science from the University of Windsor, and went on to complete a Juris Doctor from the University of Pittsburgh. Devon is keenly aware of trends and new developments in the area of health and wellness. He embraces an active lifestyle combining diet, exercise and healthy choices. By working to inform readers of the options available to them, he hopes to improve their health and quality of life.
