Suicidal Behaviour Among the Elderly (IN: The International Handbook of Suicide and Attempted Suicide, edited by K Hawton & K van Heeringen)

In most countries of the world the highest rate of suicide is in people over 75 years of age. Indirect suicidal behaviour may be manifestations of suicidality in older physically ill people, particularly in residential homes. Older deliberate self-harm patients have higher levels of depression & higher risk of subsequent suicide than younger patients. Risk factors for deliberate self-harm & suicide in older people overlap. The role of personality factors is under-researched but personality disorder is less frequently associatd with suicide in older people than in younger age groups. (90 refs.)