[Suicidal behavior in the elderly. Review of results at the Pécs Center of the WHO/EURO Multicenter Study on Suicide].
The authors examined the characteristics of old suicide attempters (over 65 years) with special regard to organic and depressive disorders and sociodemographic features. Within the framework of the WHO/EURO Multicentre Study on Parasuicide data of 849 suicide attempts were collected during three years. Comparing old age group (n = 54) to younger suicide attempters (n = 795) were found that over 65 years the proportion of female was much higher, repeaters rate was lower. In aged group were more widowed persons, while was not substantial difference in the rate of living alone. Regarding methods of parasuicide there were fewer poisoning (but higher rate of sedatohipnotics intoxication), while hard methods were more frequent. Over 65 years the proportion of depression, and organic disorders was higher. It seems that, in spite of the fact, that many old parasuicidal patients have depressive symptoms, they could get treatment only for symptoms of anxiety and sleep disturbance, while the affective problems remain undiagnosed and untreated. Another important factor, that high proportion of elderly sample was living in the family, with other relatives or in nursing home. In spite of this most of cases family members or caretakers in nursing home could not recognise the psychic problems and could not give sufficient emotional or social support to the patients to prevent suicide attempt. Authors pointed out, that the recognition and treatment of depression plays very important role in the suicide prevention in elderly population, and the adequate emotional and psychosocial support by family and health care systems seems to be essential.
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Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, Pszichiátriai és Orvosi Pszichológiai Klinika.
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D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012944:Social Support; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014944:World Health Organization; D000092864:Suicide Prevention