Detecting and managing depression in older people

Katona, Cornelius

doi:10.1002/hup.470101006

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 22 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…In summary, our results show that Death wishes and suicidal ideation are rather rare even in advanced age, and thus should not be regarded as typical of that age group.In most cases, old-age suicidal ideation is associated with psychiatric morbidity, though there are a few instances in which no mental illness is present.It is impossible to overemphasize the necessity of a thorough, differentiated diagnosis—including testing for psychiatric morbidity and interviewing the respective elderly person about the background of such death wishes. The criteria for a depressive disorder should be given particular attention, although depression in advanced age is especially difficult to diagnose due to typical old-age related phenomena (rather than expressing depressive emotions, patients dysphorically and irritably describe physical complaints) [Kanowski, 1994; Katona, 1995; Mellick, Buckwalter & Stolley, 1992]. Even though it is not possible to claim that there will never be older people who, free of mental disorder, decide to end their lives, it can be said that intensive diagnostics are always and treatment is mostly necessary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is impossible to overemphasize the necessity of a thorough, differentiated diagnosis—including testing for psychiatric morbidity and interviewing the respective elderly person about the background of such death wishes. The criteria for a depressive disorder should be given particular attention, although depression in advanced age is especially difficult to diagnose due to typical old-age related phenomena (rather than expressing depressive emotions, patients dysphorically and irritably describe physical complaints) [Kanowski, 1994; Katona, 1995; Mellick, Buckwalter & Stolley, 1992].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Epidemiology and Psychiatric Morbidity of Suicidal Ideation Among the Elderly

Barnow

Lindén²

2000

Crisis

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This study investigates the epidemiology and psychiatric morbidity of the wish to be dead, suicidal ideation, and suicidal intent in a group of elderly persons (> 70 years). A representative community sample of 516 persons aged 70 to 105 was extensively investigated by psychiatrists using the structured interview GMS-A and various other self-rating and observer-rating scales. Diagnoses were made according to DSM-III-R and clinical judgment. In a cross-section of this population, we found the following prevalence rates: At the time of the study, 14.7% of the elderly community had symptoms of tiredness of life, 5.4% wished to die, and 1% showed suicidal ideation or gestures. Depending on the intensity of suicidality, 80% to 100% were clinically diagnosed as suffering from psychiatric disorders and 50-75% showed symptoms fulfilling the criteria of at least one specific psychiatric diagnosis. Further, logistic regression analysis showed a significant influence of major depression and specific DSM-III-R diagnosis on suicidality in old age. Our conclusion is that suicidal ideation in the elderly is usually a sign of a mental illness warranting diagnosis and treatment rather than assisted suicide.

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