Research indicates that suicides by people with schizophrenia occur in response to

Research indicates that suicides by people with schizophrenia occur in response to

• A. Overdoses of antipsychotic drugs
• B. A feeling of invincibility
• C. Feelings of demoralization
• D. Voices commanding them to kill themselves

Answer: (C)

Demoralization—deep hopelessness and a sense that life has lost meaning or purpose—is the best explanation for suicides in people with schizophrenia. When depressive or despairing feelings arise, individuals may see no path forward and feel that relief would come only through ending life, which strongly increases suicide risk. The other options aren’t as consistently tied to suicidality across research: overdosing on antipsychotics isn’t a typical triggering mechanism, a belief in invincibility runs counter to the vulnerability often seen in schizophrenia, and while command hallucinations can contribute to risk in some cases, they are not the general driver reflected in the research findings.

Demoralization—deep hopelessness and a sense that life has lost meaning or purpose—is the best explanation for suicides in people with schizophrenia. When depressive or despairing feelings arise, individuals may see no path forward and feel that relief would come only through ending life, which strongly increases suicide risk. The other options aren’t as consistently tied to suicidality across research: overdosing on antipsychotics isn’t a typical triggering mechanism, a belief in invincibility runs counter to the vulnerability often seen in schizophrenia, and while command hallucinations can contribute to risk in some cases, they are not the general driver reflected in the research findings.