Chapter
Family Therapy With the Suicidal Elderly (IN: Preventing Elderly Suicide: Overcoming Personal Despair, Professional Neglect, and Social Bias by J Richman)
Richman J
This chapter presents an integrated outline of family aspects of the suicidal state & describes a family-oriented treatment approach for the suicidal elderly. Recognition of the positive potential of the family is a major tenet of family therapy. Characteristics of families with a suicidal member are summarized & discussed with particular focus on the suicidal communication system. Case examples & relevant descriptions of family dynamics & treatment are presented.