Suicide among schizophrenic adolescents in the long-term course of illness.

The significance of the suicide problem for patients showing first symptoms of schizophrenic disorders between 14 and 18 years of age is presented in a long-term follow-up study including two follow-up periods after a minimum of 5 and 11 years. The suicide rate of 13.1% is significantly higher than in other studies with patients who developed a schizophrenic psychosis in a later period of life. In addition, there is a significant sex difference in the rate of suicide--21.5% of the men and 6% of the women--although the latter made more attempts at suicide.