Suicides and the third age

Abstract 

The phenomenon of suicide represents a complex problem, the specific aspects of which should be examined by a multifactorial analysis, particularly in the elderly subjects. Although the research on risk factors continues to grow, only a limited knowledge is available on the biological changes increasing the risk for suicide. Similarly, limited information is at our disposal about the contributing psychosocial processes extending beyond the demographic factors. Although the best explored population is the elderly using primary care services, no proven interventions are known for the time being, although some efforts to test certain approaches reaching these older adults are under way. Apparently even more, continued efforts are needed to change the attitudes toward the mental illnesses and their treatments in general, in order to reach the older adults who are still outside of the health care services.

Keywords:  Suicides in the elderly, Multifactorial analyses, Auto-aggressivity, Suicide behavior, Depressive crisis