Suicidal Behaviours in First Episode Psychoses

Background: Psychotic disorders severely affect the quality of life of many patients. Mortality is very high in such patients. Suicide risk is 12 times more in patients with psychoses than in the general population. First episode psychosis has no agreed-upon definition, but the initial years are crucial for a better prognosis of the illness. Early intervention and timely management prove beneficial in improving quality of life and reducing mortality, mainly due to suicide. Suicide risk is about 1.5 times higher in the first year of treatment.

Aims and Objectives: We aim to find out the presence of suicidal ideas and attempts in FEP and find out risk factors for suicidal ideas and attempts in FEP. The study also assesses the nature of clinical manifestations, depression, and insight with suicidal ideas, suicidal attempts, and non-suicidal self-harm in FEP.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional observational study. Seventy-five indoor or outdoor patients aged 18 to 50yrs will be assessed. Tools used are sociodemographic proforma, PANSS, Addington Depression scale, Suicidality Module of MINI, and Birchwood Insight Scale.

Results and Discussion: This study’s result will help ascertain suicidal behaviors in first-episode psychosis. The study will also help identify risk factors and their role in suicide in these patients.