Depression and Suicide Prevention

Depression and Suicide Prevention

in the Elderly

There is no age group that is immune to depression, but statistically the elderly suffer with depression resulting in suicide more than any other age group or group of people. Statistics show that the elderly comprise about 13% of the United States population but they are responsible for over 18% of the total suicides in the United States. Even though depression is very common in the elderly this does not mean that it can't be treated. Often the cause of suicide in the elderly is depression that is left untreated or mistreated. 

Depression can result from various changing circumstances, but is ultimately a chemical imbalance in the brain. The symptoms of depression can be recognized more quickly if you are aware of what you should be looking for in yourself or in your loved one. It is vital that depression does not go untreated, because it will result in a low quality of life and could lead to attempted suicide. 

Here are a few warning signs that someones may be struggling with depression:

• Loss of interest in things or activities that were previously found enjoyable. 
• Cutting back on social interactions, self-care, and grooming.
• Breaking medical regiments. (Such as prescriptions, diets, etc.)
• Expecting or experiencing a significant personal loss.
• Feeling hopeless and/or worthless.
• Loss of appetite, loss of energy, and weight loss.
• Insomnia and restlessness.
• Suddenly putting affairs in order, giving things away, or making changes to wills.
• Stock-pilling medication or obtaining other lethal means.
• Preoccupation with death or a lack of concern about personal safety.
• Expression of suicidal intent. 

In addition to specific warning signs that you can keep watch for, there are also specific characteristics or situations that may put a person at high risk for depression. A person does not need to have all of these characteristics, but these characteristics may be contributing factors to putting someone at a higher risk for depression. Some of these include:

• Increased age.
• White male.
• Divorced.
• A major psychiatric disorder.
• Misuse of alcohol or drugs.
• Any medical illness.
• Family discord.
• Financial trouble.
• Physical disability.
• Unrelieved pain, or chronic pain.
• Loss and/or grief. 
• Social isolation or solitary living.
• Inability to face and manage crises. 

If you recognize any of these characteristics or warning signs in yourself or your loved one, it is necessary to get help right away. The best way to get help is to visit your doctor and be honest about what is being experienced, from there your doctor can assess your well-being and take the steps they feel necessary to better your health. Your doctor will have more information about medications that need to be given or taken away, and about lifestyle changes that may need to take place.

Your loved one needs to know that the lines of communication are open, because it may be a daunting task for them to come to you about the problems associated with depression. If you are more aware of the symptoms, you will be more effective in preventing depression and suicide in your loved one. 

Unfortunately, the chances of suffering with depression or knowing someone who is suffering with depression is extremely likely. In the case of depression, awareness may be prevention. We must be ready to act when we are faced with these situations, especially in our families. 

This article will give more research based information about depression and suicide in the elderly: Suicide in the Elderly