On the distinction of suicide ideation versus attempt in elderly psychiatric inpatients.
A study of selected elderly psychiatric inpatients admitted for depression suggests that suicidal ideation may initiate a process of smoldering when the patient, family, and professionals interact in such a way as to dampen apparent distress. Suicidal thoughts and mood may be masked by affective or cognitive constriction, camouflaged by anxiety and external agitation, and "tranquilized" by anti-anxiety agents. Depression may go undetected. Distinguishing factors between attempters and ideators are presented.
Schmid
H
H
Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI.
Manjee
K
K
Shah
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data