Recognize Signs of Depression and Suicide in Senior Citizens
	Older Americans are disproportionately likely to commit suicide and major depression is the disorder most associated with suicide in elderly Americans. While Americans aged 65 years and older comprise only 13 percent of the population, they account for 20 percent of all suicide deaths. According to one study, many older adults who commit suicide visit their primary care doctor very close to the time of suicide, 20 percent on the same day and 70 percent within one month.
This emphasizes the urgent need for effective detection as a means of reducing the risk of suicide in senior Americans. Symptoms of depression in seniors may differ somewhat from those in other populations and are often characterized by memory problems, confusion, social withdrawal, loss of appetite, inability to sleep, and irritability. As the population grows older, untreated depression among senior citizens becomes a more widespread problem. Often severe sadness is not acknowledged or expressed. Some older Americans may be worried about being stigmatized and feel that depression is a character flaw. Others mistake the symptoms for dementia and believe it to be an inevitable part of aging. However, depression does not come naturally with old age; it is an illness that needs medical attention just like any other illness. Suicide is more common in older populations because they more often experience the life events commonly associated with suicide: the death of a loved one; physical illness, uncontrollable pain, fear of dying a prolonged death that damages family members emotionally and economically; social isolation and loneliness, and major changes in social roles, such as retirement. Among the elderly, white men are the most likely to die by suicide, especially if they are socially isolated. There are common clues to possible suicidal thoughts and actions in the elderly that must be taken seriously. Any of these signs alone is not indicative of suicidal intent, but several signs together may be very important. Signs of depression, such as: changes in eating or sleeping habits, unexplained fatigue or apathy, trouble concentrating, crying for no apparent reason, unable to express or feel joy, withdrawal from family and friends, loss of interest in hobbies and personal appearance, and behavioral changes that make you think they are just "not themselves." Talking about or seeming preoccupied with death Giving away prized possessions Taking unnecessary risks Having experienced or expecting to experience a major loss Increased use of alcohol, drugs, or other medications Failing to take prescribed medicines or follow required diets Acquiring a weapon If you notice signs, it is important to remember a few Dos and DON'Ts. DO take your loved one seriously and ask directly if he or she is thinking about suicide. Don't be afraid to ask - asking will not cause someone to be suicidal or commit suicide and you will usually get an honest answer. DO be non-judgmental. DO encourage them to get professional help for their depression because treatment has a very high success rate. DO take action and remove easy methods they might use to harm themselves. DO get involved; show interest and support. Offer hope, but DO avoid glib reassurances. DON'T act shocked. DON'T debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. DON'T lecture on the value of life. DON'T be sworn to secrecy; seek help and support from persons or agencies that specialize in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. Also seek the help of the individual's social support network - family, friends, physician, clergy, etc. Globally speaking, this can be a difficult country for senior citizens to live in; in some parts of the world, the elderly are much more revered and treasured than in America. We are a nation that glorifies and idolizes youth, largely from a commercial perspective. Avoiding the visible reminders of aging has become more than a billion dollar industry, and somewhere along the way we have diminished the spiritual and emotional reminders of aging- the bounties of wisdom, love, and guidance offered to us from those who have gone before us and have already experienced what we will experience. When people are a vital part of other people's lives, when they are valued and embraced by the community, they are more likely to avoid the feelings of hopelessness, bereavement, and isolation that can lead to suicidal thoughts. We would all benefit from reaching out to a senior citizen, NOT out of pity or a sense of doing someone a favor, but out of a desire to learn from the more experienced about how to navigate life's difficulties and more fully enjoy and appreciate the goodness in our lives.