Suicidality and Tiredness of Life Among Very old Persons: Results From the Berlin Aging Study (BASE)

The wish to be dead, suicidal ideation & suicidal intent was studied in a group of very old (70+ years) persons in Berlin West. 15% of the group had, at the time of the study, symptoms of tiredness of life; 5% wished to die & 0.5-1% showed suicidal behaviour or gestures. A parallel & significant increase in all categories of the acute wish to be dead & suicidality with increasing age was noted. 1-1/2 to 2 times more females than males reported a wish to be dead or showed suicidal behaviours.