Higher risk of suicide and important warning signals

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He suffers from age depression and has the feeling that he is no longer needed. Similarly, That’s why he tried to take life. Moreover, Wolfgang Grupp writes in a statement that he published this week. Consequently, Grupp was an extremely busy company boss for decades. Furthermore, he appeared on talk shows and commented on sociopular and economic policy issues. Therefore, In autumn 2023, the then 81-year-old Patriarch and millionaire handed over the fortunes of the clothing manufacturer Trigema to his children.

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The gerontopsychiatrist Robert Perneczky heads a focus department for mental illnesses. In addition, aged at the clinic of the University of Munich. Meanwhile, He explains the most important facts about age depression.

Is depression in the elderly is different from younger ones?

It is very similar. For example, The patients are without drive, show no more interest, they are tired and have a bad mood. Therefore, But there are some important differences.

What would that be?

In older people with higher risk suicide important warning depression. Therefore, physical symptoms such as headache or back pain, gastrointestinal problems or concentration disorders occur more often. Nevertheless, And that is exactly what carries the risk that depression will not be recognized. Especially in the elderly, they are expected to have physical complaints. Both those affected as well as their surroundings. even doctors are looking for an organic cause and nobody thinks that depression is the underlying cause of the problems. And then there is the confusion problem.

What do you mean?

A starting dementia, for example caused by Alzheimer’s disease, can be the trigger for depression. If a person at eighty years develops depressive symptoms for the first time in life. then you have to be immediately listening. A doctor has to ask carefully. Because then it is quite possible that higher risk suicide important warning these symptoms are not only psychological. but that there is a brain disease here.

Which warning signals should relatives and friends pay attention to?

Typical for depression, when a person withdraws, is no longer pursuing their hobbies and generally eliminates interests. You should also pay attention to social withdrawal if those affected no longer feel comfortable with other people.
Memory problems and difficulties of concentration can be signs of both dementia and depression. If you can go to the doctor’s appointment as a relative, I find it helpful. Because then the person concerned cannot say, yes, I’m actually fine, only my stomach hurts. I then get feedback from two sides.

Are older people more often affected by depression?

Older people have depressive symptoms more often, almost every fifth for over sixty -five years developed in old age. On the other hand, severe depression in older people is less common. But depression is a big danger for the elderly.

Why?

If an older person has depression, then the risk of planning or carrying out suicide is higher than younger ones. The suicides actually carried out are common in old men. Overall, suicidality in old age is also increasing, especially among men. A third of all suicides are committed by the older ones, which is disproportionate.

Is there a risk -top personality?

Yes. What scares me as a psychiatrist. because unfortunately I have already experienced higher risk suicide important warning it personally in my patients, is an old man who is physically ill. Maybe he even has a addiction. In addition, there is a bad social environment, so that he is lonely. If he is susceptible to negative thoughts and emotions anyway, no longer has big plans in life. That is the disaster. Everything comes together that is unfavorable. If I have someone like that on the ward. I hardly sleep anymore because the risk of suicide is so great.

What are the risk factors in general?

On the one hand, genetic equipment plays a role in patients of all ages. Unexpected nutrition, little movement, smoking and alcohol increase the risk. Acute triggers of depression are often sudden changes. And such life events are more common in older people. for example the start higher risk suicide important warning of retirement age or the move of the children. Someone who was focused on work. whether in the office or at home and also has a huge expectation in itself, for whom such a cut is a difficult blow. It is endangered if someone only defines their role by one thing. such as work, hobby or family and then falls away. Those affected are convinced that they would no longer be needed. And there is a vicious cycle, especially for older ones.

And that would be?

Loneliness. Seniors are often more lonely, they live alone more often because children moved away and spouses have died. First of all, loneliness is a risk factor for depression. Secondly, you don’t have anyone who could notice that you withdraw. Loneliness makes the symptoms difficult or contributes higher risk suicide important warning to the course of getting worse.

Does depression have to be treated differently in old age?

The therapy is basically the same in all age groups. In the elderly. the dose of the medication only has to be adjusted a little more slowly and sometimes a little lower. But very important: Older patients respond as well to the medication as younger people. Unfortunately, this is often not consistently implemented because you think that you have to proceed much more carefully. Depression is easy to treat at any age. The relapse rate is also not higher in older patients. After the episode has subsided. all patients should continue the medication for a certain period of time, older and younger ones.