Indirect Life-Threatening Behavior in Elderly Patients

Analysis of behaviors that are often classified as non-compliance or passive suicide reveals that in older adults, these actions can represent attempts by the person to gain control of & to ameliorate a negative life situation. A case is presented which demonstrates the ultimate outcome of engagement in such behavior when it is misinterpreted or left untreated. The functions of indirect life-threatening behavior are discussed. (21 refs)