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Annals of General Psychiatry
Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Primary research

Differences between subjective experiences and observed behaviors in near-fatal suicide attempters with untreated schizophrenia: a qualitative pilot study

Authors: Taiju Yamaguchi, Chiyo Fujii, Takahiro Nemoto, Naohisa Tsujino, Kiyoaki Takeshi, Masafumi Mizuno

Published in: Annals of General Psychiatry | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

In cases of untreated schizophrenia, the patients’ entourage often does not recognize the psychotic symptoms of the patient and the possibility that the patient may attempt suicide. The aim of this study was to investigate the discrepancies between the subjective experiences and observed behaviors in near-fatal suicide attempters with untreated schizophrenia.

Methods

A semi-structured interview was carried out with seven near-fatal suicide attempters with untreated schizophrenia to examine the subjective experiences at the time of the suicide attempt. The families of the patients were also interviewed to determine their recognition of the patients’ psychotic symptoms and the suicidal ideation. The interview data were analyzed qualitatively.

Results

Six subjects were undergoing exacerbation of the psychotic symptoms at the time of exhibiting the suicide-related ideation. One subject had been in a prolonged depressive state before attempting suicide. Although all the patients experienced severe distress due to psychotic symptoms and depressive mood, they all exhibited only low level or no help-seeking behavior, and six of seven families had not recognized the change in the patient’s mental condition.

Conclusions

Appropriate information about schizophrenia should be provided to the general public so that any help-seeking by the patients with this disease is not overlooked. In addition, accessible early intervention services for psychosis should be established.
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Metadata
Title
Differences between subjective experiences and observed behaviors in near-fatal suicide attempters with untreated schizophrenia: a qualitative pilot study
Authors
Taiju Yamaguchi
Chiyo Fujii
Takahiro Nemoto
Naohisa Tsujino
Kiyoaki Takeshi
Masafumi Mizuno
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Annals of General Psychiatry / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1744-859X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12991-015-0055-1

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