 |
|
Suicide in Older Persons
|
|
| Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings. |
|
|
|
Suicide increases with age and is most common in persons aged 65 years and older. That age group accounts for 18% of all suicides in the United States. As is true for younger individuals, the main factor that can lead to suicide in older persons is major depression, a medical illness to be distinguished from normal feelings of sadness and grief after a loss, such as the death of a relative or friend. Older persons are more likely to be socially isolated and have more physical illnesses than younger people. They are also more likely to use highly lethal methods of suicide, such as firearms.
The March 3, 2004, issue of JAMA includes an article about an intervention program to prevent suicide in depressed elderly patients.
SYMPTOMS OF MAJOR DEPRESSION
Having at least 5 of these symptoms occurring nearly every day for at least 2 weeks:
Sharon Parmet, MS, Writer;
Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator;
Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
RELATED ARTICLE
Reducing Suicidal Ideation and Depressive Symptoms in Depressed Older Primary Care Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Martha L. Bruce, Thomas R. Ten Have, Charles F. Reynolds, III, Ira I. Katz, Herbert C. Schulberg, Benoit H. Mulsant, Gregory K. Brown, Gail J. McAvay, Jane L. Pearson, and George S. Alexopoulos
JAMA. 2004;291(9):1081-1091.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
