Suicide Risk among Paranoid Schizophrenics - Research Paper Example

?Literature Review Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that results to confusion between reality and hallucinations as well as delusions, disorganizedpatterns of cognition and speech, as well as other kinds of socio-emotional dysfunctions. One spectrum of the disorder is paranoid schizophrenia. Patients have false beliefs that other people are scheming against them or their loved ones. Similar with other kinds of schizophrenia, most patients experience auditory hallucinations as well as delusions of grandeur. They may hear and/or see others talking to them. Some of them may also be convinced that they are more powerful than what they really are. Because of their condition, patients spend a lot of time figuring out their illusory enemies. They also engage in complicated schemes in protecting themselves and their family members. Documentations have also shown that many patients took their own lives. This paper delves into the risk of suicide among patients with paranoid schizophrenia. As compared to other kinds of schizophrenia, this subtype has lesser complications regarding cognitions such as concentration and memory. This makes it easier for the patients to achieve social responsibilities. However, this kind of schizophrenia is quite prone to auditory hallucinations. According to a depression and mental health source (Psyweb), auditory hallucinations can cause the patient to commit suicide due to a supposable command (2012). The voices may also instruct the person to hurt himself or others. They may also be convinced that they are being hunted and taking their own lives is a means of escape (Lane, 2012). In addition, many think about committing suicide because of the challenges of coping with the disorder (Mooney, 2011). It was also emphasized that the possibility of maladaptive behaviors such as hurting oneself may be increased when medication stops. Likewise, Harris cites suicide as one among the symptoms of the disorder (2011). It is added to other signs such as indifference, anger, strange behavior, and homicide. A related study focused on delusional suicidal behavior of patients with schizophrenia (Raspapova, & Ranov, 2011). Their paper mentioned that suicide rates of patients with paranoid schizophrenia have increased across the globe. The research that consisted of 320 schizophrenic patients came up with a typology concerning suicide. Thirty among them were diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. Most of them had suicidal ideations which were instigated by overvalued ideas of reference, and hypochondriac manifestations. In a case study, the difficulties of living with paranoid schizophrenia were documented. A 13-year-old patient shocked everyone when she went to the balcony since everyone assumed that she wanted to commit suicide. However, when her parents asked her about the situation, she stated that she actually heard a voice commanding her to jump outside (Sanghavi, 2010). The study is supported by the paper of Meltzer and his colleagues. They found out that around 10% of patients die due to suicide (2003). It should not be mistaken that most paranoid schizophrenics are violent (Meltzer, & Baldessarrini, 2003). Actually, the disorder is not usually characterized by aggression towards others. Nonetheless, it is more often linked with suicide as compared to other subtypes. Another case study focused on a middle aged woman. Together with her sisters, she was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. She had attempted to kill herself a few years after her father died. She had been in hospitals due to her condition. After being discharged for several months, she had utilized the medicines that were prescribed to commit suicide (Saarinen, Lehtonen, & Lonnqvist, 1999). In connection, of the symptoms of this spectrum is being suicidal (Fenton, McGlashan, Victor, & Blyler, 1997). The relationship of paranoid schizophrenia and suicidal behaviors was verified through documents as well as interviews with the patients themselves. Discussion The aforementioned literatures ascertain the relation of suicide risk and paranoid schizophrenia. Several have explained reasons for such behavior. The struggles that patients have may be too tough to bear (Lane, 2012). Suicidal thoughts and actions are also one of the symptoms of this disorder as compared to the other spectrums (Harris, 2011). The international statistics concerning suicide among schizophrenic patients have generally gone higher (Raspapova, & Ranov, 2011). The authors have established that many paranoid schizophrenics engage in such desperate actions and ideations due to the nature of their condition. Since the risk is significantly high among individuals with schizophrenia. This social issue should have more attention. Though there have been improvements in dealing with this kind of crisis, a more active advocacy still needs to be launched. Programs that can benefit and their families are needed to address the current problem. Moreover, it is helpful to establish the nature of the suicide indicators. This action can be essential in preventing adverse situations. For instance, if it would be verified that most patients commit suicide during lucid states, relatives and practitioners should be counseled to be vigilant especially after hospital discharge. The case study reported by Sanghavi (2010) analyzed a girl who attributed suicidal behavior to auditory hallucinations. The in depth analyses show that command hallucinations can be very persuasive. Patients often find themselves responding to the imaginary voices. This is reinforced by the study of Harkavy-Friedman, Kimhy, Nelson, Venarde, Malaspina, and Mann. Their paper entitled Suicide Attempts in Schizophrenia: The Role of Command Auditory Hallucinations for Suicide (2003) examined the influence of presumable instructions on schizophrenics. Their conclusion indicates that patients with schizophrenia who have attempted to kill themselves are at a higher risk as compared to their counterparts when experiencing commanding auditory hallucinations for suicide (CAHS). Hallucinations can be very convincing that it significantly disturbs reality perception. Especially when the voice takes the form of that of a loved one, the command can be remarkably gripping. Another case study documented a woman who attempted to commit suicide before and after hospital discharge (Saarinen, Lehtonen, & Lonnqvist, 1999). Patients may voluntarily hurt themselves. Many of them choose this recourse since they feel that there is no more hope. Since paranoid schizophrenia is typically long-term, patients think that it would be better to cease to exist than to forever experience the daunting symptoms. In fact, some schizophrenics may not confide to their own parents or close relatives. They may think that it is better not to burden others with their inescapable concerns. Hence, if patients share their suicidal ideations in direct as well as remote ways, they must be taken seriously. Their bouts of depression may particularly worsen their state. A confession of their thoughts and plans must be treated as pleas for help. It is also helpful to take note of probable materials that can be used for suicide such as pills, ropes, and others. Being involved in regular communication is a beneficial way to watch out for their well-being. Individuals with paranoid schizophrenia have more frequencies of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and death. These are triggered by several circumstances. Auditory hallucinations can awfully constrain a patient. Depression, delusions, mirages, and other symptoms are too dreadful to live with. In addition, some of them feel that there is no more hope for their condition. Thus, the most essential recourse for schizophrenics is to help them find purpose in their existence. Reference List Fenton, W.S., McGlashan, T.H., Victor, B.J., & Blyler, C.R. (1997). Symptoms, subtype, and suicidality in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. American Journal Psychiatry. 154(2), 199-204. Harris, P.(2011). Schizophrenia. Patrick Harris Psychiatric Hospital. Retrieved from http://www.patrickbharrispsychiatrichospital.com/schizophrenia.htm Harkavy-Friedman, J., Kimhy, D., Nelson, E., Venarde, D., Malaspina, D. & Mann, J. (2003). Suicide attempts in schizophrenia: The role of command auditory hallucinations for suicide. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 64(8), 871-874. Lane, C. (2012). Paranoid schizophrenia. Schizophrenic.com. Retrieved from http://www.schizophrenic.com/content/schizophrenia/paranoid-schizophrenia Meltzer, H.Y., Alphs, L., Green, A.I., Altamura, A.C., Anand, R., Bertoldi, A., Bourgeois, M., Chouinard, G., Islam, M.Z., Kane, J., Krishnan, R., Lindenmayer, J.P., & Potkin S. (2003). Clozapine treatment for suicidality in schizophrenia: International Suicide Prevention Trial (InterSePT). Archives of General Psychiatry, 60(1):82-91. Meltzer, H.Y., & Baldessarini, R.J. Reducing the risk for suicide in schizophrenia and affective disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 64(9):1122-1129. Mooney, L. (2011). Signs and symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia. Livestrong.com. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/22699-signs-symptoms-paranoid-schizophrenia/ Mueser, K., & Gingerich, S. (2006). The complete family guide to schizophrenia. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Pompili et al. (2007). Suicide risk in schizophrenia: Learning from the past to change the future. Annals of General Psychiatry. 6-10. Raspapova, N., & Panov, E. (2011). Delusional suicide behavior of patients with schizophrenia and methods of its prevention. Medical and Health Science Journal, 6, 43-48. Saarinen, P.I., Lehtonen, J., & Lonnqvist, J.(1999). Suicide risk in schizophrenia: An analysis of 17 consecutive suicides. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 25(3), 533-542. Sanghavi, G. Interesting case study of paranoid schizophrenia. Dr. Girish Sanghavi. Retrieved from http://www.psychosexhypnosisclinic.com/case_studies/case-study-of-paranoid-schizophrenia.htm Read More