Schizophrenia is a serious and common disease, one of the most disabling mental disorders in developed countries (Azevedo et al., 2010) and it is associated with high suicide attempt rates. A significant percentage of premature deaths is due to suicide and up to 50% of the patients attempt suicide during their lifetime, specially during the earlier course of the disease (Meltzer, 2003).

In this study, the authors aimed to identify clinical factors (focusing on emotional reactivity and negative symptoms) and social-demographic variables associated to suicidal behaviour in Schizophrenia, in a large sample of Portuguese patients.

508 patients with a diagnosis of Schizophrenia were selected according ICD-10 diagnostic criteria definitions, using the OPCRIT polydiagnostic system (McGuffin et al., 1991). Clinical and social-demographic variables were extracted from DIGS (Azevedo et al., 1993; Nurnberger et al., 1994).

Suicidal Behaviour was assessed with the “Suicidal Behaviour Section” from DIGS.

Suicidal behaviour occurred in 21.8% of the patients, with voluntary drug overdosing being the most used method. Although men showed to use more violent methods, the behaviour was more frequent in female patients. There was no association with the severity of delusions or hallucinations.

The absence of formal thought changes, emotional withdrawal and affective blunting (meaning greater emotional reactivity) showed to be risk factors for the occurrence of suicidal behaviour.

This work may have relevant clinical implications due to its potential to guide the clinician in identifying a suicidal profile among his/her patients with Schizophrenia and delineating early intervention strategies.