Why Do The Elderly Commit Suicide?

Most people define aging as a time of reflection or a chance to recognize the gradual changes a person has gone through in their lifetime. What once was a life full of youth eventually becomes adulthood leading to a career and the responsibilities that come along with aging. Unfortunately getting older often comes with painful circumstances such as loss of a loved one, material loss, loss of health, energy, family, friends, and more triggers that most likely will eventually lead to a common problem, depression. Correct guidance of the condition usually requires considering psychological issues and seeking proper treatment to avoid depression in the elderly.

People work their entire lives looking forward to the day when they're retired and

John Cacioppo, a neuroscientist and psychologist at the University of Chicago, has been studying social isolation for 30 years. One frightening finding is that feelings of loneliness are linked to poor cognitive performance and quicker cognitive decline.” (Rosen 2014, University of Chicago) Another factor of loneliness among those sixty five or older? Apparently socially isolated seniors are more negative about their future years. Surprisingly when seniors participate in community based events and programs, they're less likely to feel isolated. Much like when a child plays a sport with a team, it boost their confidence and makes them feel more

They often commit suicide due to depression mixed with being in a lot of pain. Whether the pain is mental (depressive state of mind, dementia, alzheimer's) or they're physically in pain. Suicidal behavior differs in older people than what you might expect a teenager to do per say. There are different approaches to preventing suicide due to depression among seniors usually including preventing depression before it starts and/or noticing the symptoms when it has begun.

The death of a spouse or getting ill are all contributors to depression. So what can be done? While there are so many factors than lead to depression in the elderly there's nothing more substantial than treating it hands on with a form of psychotherapy (behavioral and cognitive.) “Focus on the caregiver appears to be an important component of behavioral treatment, involving improvement in the caregiver's skills in communicating with the patient and adapting to the disease. Caregivers are instrumental in increasing the patient's engagement in pleasant activities. Both cognitive behavioral and multi-component treatment approaches are effective in reducing depression.”