The serious risks faced by people with schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder. It greatly affects a person’s thoughts, emotions, actions, and ability to participate in day-to-day life. It also increases the risk of other health issues, including suicide.

Most people with schizophrenia don’t self-harm. But the suicide rate is higher than for people without schizophrenia. For example, in a large 2021 study in JAMA Psychiatry, the suicide risk among people with schizophrenia was 4.5 times greater than the general United States population. In the study, scientists found it was much higher for the following groups of people with the disorder:

• Men
• Younger adults
• Those who used drugs
• Those who also had anxiety or depression
• Those with sleep disorders
• Those with a history of self-harm or previous suicide attempts

Researchers have also found that the risk of violent crime is greater for people with schizophrenia, though the vast majority will never commit an act of violence. For those who do, it’s frequently linked to illicit drug use and often occurs during the first episode of psychosis, when many aren’t yet aware they have schizophrenia. In fact, people with the disorder are much more likely to be a victim of violence.

Managing schizophrenia

Studies like this call attention to the need for more intensive symptom management in people who are showing signs of violent behavior and self-injury. If you or someone you know is living with the condition, here’s what you can do to help manage it on a daily basis.

Consistently take your medication. Your prescribed medication can help to ease, and in some cases, eliminate your symptoms, making you better equipped to navigate your daily life.

Regularly attend psychotherapy sessions. This gives you an opportunity to voice your concerns, fears, and thoughts to a professional who’s in place solely to help you. It can help you to identify relapse warning signs and learn coping techniques. It can also help your therapist get a better feel for the progression of your condition and better craft a personalized treatment plan.

Get involved with a support group. Foster a group of people around you who intimately understand schizophrenia in a way that people not affected by the condition might not be able to do. Speaking to others can help reduce your stress and potentially help you to recognize when you need to seek out more intensive help. Support groups are also a great resource for information on things like job training that can help you to be more integrated into the world around you.

Know what to do in a crisis. If you have schizophrenia and are thinking of hurting yourself, you can take several steps to get help:

• Call 911 for immediate help in a crisis situation.
• Reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling, texting, or chatting 988.
• Contact your mental health care provider.
• Call a friend or relative to come over to keep you safe.