Early insight predicts depression and attempted suicide after 4 years in first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder

  1. N. Crumlish1,
  2. P. Whitty1,
  3. M. Kamali1,
  4. M. Clarke1,
  5. S. Browne1,
  6. O. McTigue1,
  7. A. Lane1,
  8. A. Kinsella2,
  9. C. Larkin1,
  10. E. O'Callaghan1,3

Article first published online: 31 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00620.x

Issue

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica

Volume 112, Issue 6, pages 449–455, December 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Crumlish, N., Whitty, P., Kamali, M., Clarke, M., Browne, S., McTigue, O., Lane, A., Kinsella, A., Larkin, C. and O'Callaghan, E. (2005), Early insight predicts depression and attempted suicide after 4 years in first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 112: 449–455. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00620.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Stanley Research Unit, Department of Adult Psychiatry, Hospitaller Order of St John of God, Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Blackrock

  2. 2

    School of Mathematics, Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin

  3. 3

    Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's University Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

*Eadbhard O'Callaghan, Stanley Research Unit, Department of Adult Psychiatry, Cluain Mhuire Family Centre, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. E-mail: eadbhard@gmail.com

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 31 AUG 2005
  2. Article first published online: 31 AUG 2005
  3. Accepted for publication June 27, 2005

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Keywords:

  • depression;
  • longitudinal studies;
  • schizophrenia;
  • suicide

Objective:  To map the development of insight in the 4 years after presentation with first-episode schizophrenia and schizophreniform disorder and to determine the effects of evolving insight on depression and the likelihood of attempted suicide.

Method:  We assessed 101 individuals at presentation, 6 months and 4 years. We measured insight, including recognition of mental illness, recognition of need for treatment and ability to relabel psychotic symptoms. We measured depression and recorded all suicide attempts.

Results:  Insight improved with time. Recognition of mental illness at 6 months predicted depression and attempted suicide at 4 years.

Conclusion:  Six months after presentation, the greater the acknowledgement by people that they had a mental illness, the more depressed they were at 4 years and the greater the likelihood that they would attempt suicide by 4 years. This may have implications for disclosure of diagnosis.

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