Citation

De Leo D. Lancet Psychiatry 2018; 5(3): 192-193.

Affiliation

Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia. Electronic address: d.deleo@griffith.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30472-8

PMID

29174860

Abstract

Suicide in old age is often considered to be the result of a rational decision. Frailty, dependence on others, loss of a partner, and loneliness are seen as reasons that might explain many instances of suicide. Similarly, suicide can be interpreted as a legitimate exit in case of dramatic changes in social status and role. Ageistic views tend to consider depression as a normal feature of the ageing process, and advanced age as the antecedent of an anticipated and definitive ending. Accumulation of physical illnesses and disabilities, life events, and losses can be seen as the so-called right cause to step out of this stage of life...

Language: en