In this letter to the editor the authors present a case of an elderly woman who attempted death by suicide by a drug overdose. She had attempted suicide 30 years previously but there was no history of subsequent depressive episodes. The symptom profiles of elderly suicide patients with depression are uncommonly described but are likely to be important in determining specific at-risk presentations. Symptoms to look for include insomnia (90%), weight loss (75%), guilt feelings (50%) & hypochondriasis (50%). (LC) (7 refs)