An uncommon case of failed suicide in a 94-year-old woman: "masked" depression or rational decision?
OBJECTIVE
We report an unusual case of "failed suicide" in an oldest old woman who was apparently "aging successfully".


METHODS
This case was analysed in the light of a careful literature review.


RESULTS
This was an unusual case of failed suicide, attempted by a 94-year-old woman who had planned the suicide several days earlier.


CONCLUSIONS
The unusual features of this case relate to: 1) the person's female gender and very advanced age; 2) her apparently "successful aging" condition; 3) the violent method and unusual means she used; 4) the suicide note written several days beforehand.
Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Geriatrics Section, University of Padova, Padova, Italy. eminemeral.inelmen@unipd.it
Emine Meral
EM
Inelmen
Giuseppe
G
Sergi
Giulia
G
Pintore
Giuliano
G
Enzi
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003657:Decision Making; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*