Rates of Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviours Across the Psychosis Continuum: A Comparison of Clinical High-Risk, First-Episode and Longstanding Psychosis Samples

Abstract

Introduction

Suicidal thoughts are highly prevalent among individuals with psychotic disorders and individuals at risk for psychosis. Although a growing body of literature demonstrates that this risk is greatest during the earliest stage of psychotic illness, few studies have directly compared rates of suicidal thoughts and behaviours across stages of illness.

Methods

The current study addressed this gap by using a retrospective chart review to compare rates of past 2-week suicidal thoughts and past year suicidal behaviour across individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P; n = 50), first-episode psychosis (FEP; n = 84) and longstanding psychosis (LP; n = 59). Chi-squared analyses were used to compare groups on past two-week suicidal thoughts and past year suicidal behaviour. Frequencies of the various methods for suicidal behaviour were computed across the entire sample and within each group.

Results

Results indicate that individuals at CHR-P had the highest rate of past two-week suicidal thoughts compared to FEP and LP. The most common method for suicidal behaviour in all groups was overdose.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that CHR-P is a particularly vulnerable period for suicide risk and highlight the continued need for research and resources for this population. These findings also underscore the importance of careful monitoring of medication use and efforts to reduce the risk of overdose.