Journal of Psychiatry

Cognitive Impairments and Suicidal Behavior in Early Psychosis

Inbar Avni^* Department of Psychiatry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada
^*Correspondence: Inbar Avni, Department of Psychiatry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada, Email:

Received: 01-Mar-2023, Manuscript No. JOP-23-20454; Editor assigned: 03-Mar-2023, Pre QC No. JOP-23-20454(PQ); Reviewed: 17-Mar-2023, QC No. JOP-23-20454; Revised: 24-Mar-2023, Manuscript No. JOP-23-20454(R); Published: 31-Mar-2023, DOI: 10.35248/2378-5756.23.26.577

About the Study

Recent-onset psychosis is a clinical condition that typically affects young people and is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. People with recent-onset psychosis are at increased risk of suicidal behavior, with rates of suicide attempts ranging from 10% to 50% depending on the population studied. Understanding the relationship between cognition and suicidal behavior in recent-onset psychosis is critical for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in thinking, including attention, perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. Impairments in cognitive functioning are common in people with recent-onset psychosis, with deficits observed in attention, memory, and executive functioning. These cognitive impairments are thought to be related to the underlying neuropathology of the disorder, which involves alterations in brain structure and function.

There is growing evidence to suggest that cognitive impairments may play a role in the development of suicidal behavior in recentonset psychosis. For example, deficits in attention and working memory have been associated with increased risk of suicidal behavior in this population. These cognitive impairments may impair an individual's ability to regulate their emotions and problem-solve, making them more vulnerable to suicidal ideation and behavior.

Executive functioning, which refers to the ability to plan, initiate, and execute goal-directed behaviors, may also be a key factor in the relationship between cognition and suicidal behavior in recent-onset psychosis. Deficits in executive functioning have been associated with poor social and occupational functioning in people with recent-onset psychosis, and may contribute to feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness that can lead to suicidal behavior.

In addition to these cognitive factors, there are several other factors that may contribute to the relationship between cognition and suicidal behavior in recent-onset psychosis. For example, the severity of the psychotic symptoms may impact cognitive functioning, with more severe symptoms being associated with greater cognitive impairments. The use of antipsychotic medications, which are commonly used to treat recent-onset psychosis, may also impact cognitive functioning and contribute to the risk of suicidal behavior.

Despite the growing evidence of a relationship between cognition and suicidal behavior in recent-onset psychosis, there are still many unanswered questions in this field. For example, it is unclear whether specific cognitive deficits are more strongly associated with suicidal behavior than others, and whether these deficits are present before the onset of the disorder or develop as a consequence of the illness.

Another important area of research is the role of protective factors that may mitigate the impact of cognitive impairments on suicidal behavior in recent-onset psychosis. For example, social support, engagement in meaningful activities, and positive coping strategies may help individuals with recent-onset psychosis to manage their cognitive impairments and reduce their risk of suicidal behavior.

In terms of treatment, there is growing interest in the use of cognitive remediation interventions to improve cognitive functioning in people with recent-onset psychosis. Cognitive remediation involves the use of structured exercises and techniques to improve cognitive functioning in specific domains such as attention, memory, and executive functioning. There is evidence to suggest that cognitive remediation can improve cognitive functioning in people with recent-onset psychosis, and may also have a positive impact on social and occupational functioning.

There is also interest in the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for suicidal behavior in recent-onset psychosis. CBT is a structured, goal-oriented therapy that focuses on changing negative patterns of thinking and behavior. There is evidence to suggest that CBT can be effective in reducing suicidal behavior in people with recent-onset psychosis, and may also improve cognitive functioning and social and occupational functioning.

In conclusion, the relationship between cognition and suicidal behavior in recent-onset psychosis is complex and multifaceted. Cognitive impairments, particularly deficits in attention, working memory, and executive functioning, may play a role in the development of suicidal behavior in this population. However, there are still many unanswered questions about the specific cognitive deficits that are most strongly associated with suicidal behavior, as well as the role of protective factors that may mitigate the impact of cognitive impairments. Further research in these areas is needed to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for suicidal behavior in people with recentonset psychosis. By understanding the relationship between cognition and suicidal behavior, clinicians and researchers can work towards improving outcomes for this vulnerable population.