Suicidality in schizophrenic patients with and without obsessive-compulsive disorder

Abstract

This report examines the suicidal behaviour in subjects with schizophrenia who have (N=24) and do not have comorbid Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) (N=33). The patients with OCD-schizophrenia were more likely to have a previous history of suicidal attempts, and ideations. The number of previous suicidal attempts were significantly higher in patients with OCD-schizophrenia than in patients with non-OCD schizophrenia. The patients with a history of previous suicide attempts were more likely to have a comorbid diagnosis of OCD. Compulsive symptoms were significant predictors of suicide attempt among patients with schizophrenia. Our preliminary findings may suggest that obsessive-compulsive symptoms may account for the emergence of suicidality in patients with OCD-schizophrenia.