What is the approximate suicide risk for individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder?

What is the approximate suicide risk for individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder?

• A. 2%
• B. 5%
• C. 10%
• D. 15%

Answer: (B)

People with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders have a notably higher risk of suicide than the general population, and the figure most often cited for completed suicide over a lifetime is about five percent. This means roughly one in twenty individuals with these conditions may die by suicide at some point. It’s important to distinguish this from suicide attempts, which occur more frequently, but the fatal outcome aligns with the roughly 5% estimate in many studies. Factors that raise risk include male gender, a history of prior suicide attempts, depressive symptoms, substance use, social isolation, and poor engagement with treatment; protective factors include strong support, effective treatment of mood symptoms, and reliable access to care. With that context, the five percent estimate best fits the typical completed-suicide risk in schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.

People with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders have a notably higher risk of suicide than the general population, and the figure most often cited for completed suicide over a lifetime is about five percent. This means roughly one in twenty individuals with these conditions may die by suicide at some point. It’s important to distinguish this from suicide attempts, which occur more frequently, but the fatal outcome aligns with the roughly 5% estimate in many studies. Factors that raise risk include male gender, a history of prior suicide attempts, depressive symptoms, substance use, social isolation, and poor engagement with treatment; protective factors include strong support, effective treatment of mood symptoms, and reliable access to care. With that context, the five percent estimate best fits the typical completed-suicide risk in schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.