The Gerontologist, Vol 34, Issue 3 332-339, Copyright © 1994 by The Gerontological Society of America

ARTICLES

On the distinction of suicide ideation versus attempt in elderly psychiatric inpatients

H Schmid, K Manjee and T Shah
Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI.

A study of selected elderly psychiatric inpatients admitted for depression suggests that suicidal ideation may initiate a process of smoldering when the patient, family, and professionals interact in such a way as to dampen apparent distress. Suicidal thoughts and mood may be masked by affective or cognitive constriction, camouflaged by anxiety and external agitation, and "tranquilized" by anti-anxiety agents. Depression may go undetected. Distinguishing factors between attempters and ideators are presented.