Age and methods of fatal self harm (FSH). Is there a link?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the methods of fatal self harm (FSH) used by the elderly compared to young adults.


METHODS
We compared the methods of FSH used by all the elderly over 60 years of age to those used by all younger adults, over 16 and under 60, in the city of Birmingham and Solihull over a period of 4 years, 1995-1998. We applied the term FSH to all deceased who were subjects of Coroner's inquests and attracted verdicts of suicide and open verdicts.


RESULTS
A significantly higher proportion of the elderly who fatally harmed themselves did so by drowning and asphyxia compared to the younger age group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Significantly more women over the age of 60 committed acts of FSH by tying a plastic bag around the neck than those under 60 (p < 0.05). Method of death was not ascertained in a much higher proportion of elderly FSH (p < 0.01). The most common method of suicide among elderly men and women were hanging and self-poisoning by overdose, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that the most common method of suicide in the elderly is poisoning by drug overdose. It raises the question about the quantity of drugs prescribed for the elderly, e.g. antidepressants, sedatives and pain killers. The study did not confirm previous reports that violent methods are used more frequently with increasing age.
Tadros
G
G
Northern Birmingham Mental Health Trust, Birmingham, UK.
Salib
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D001237:Asphyxia; D062787:Drug Overdose; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*