Study shows older patients often have suicidal thoughts

Main Category: Psychology / Psychiatry
Article Date: 25 Mar 2005 - 23:00 PDT

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The British Journal of General Practitioners (BJGP) has reported research showing that older patients may suffer from high levels of distress, including thoughts of suicide.

The article in the BJGP, based on research from the University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, questioned 1061 patients aged 60 years or over when visiting their GP, about depression and suicidal thoughts.

As part of the questionnaire, the patients were asked about smoking habits, use of sleeping tablets and alcohol and whether they had carried out any previous suicide attempts.

The study found that, although older people tend to consult a GP about their physical health, at least a quarter of patients also exhibit high levels of psychological distress, including current thoughts of suicide.

Dr Osvaldo Almeida and Jon Pfaff, authors of the study, said: "While much of the media's recent attention has focused on the issue of youth suicide, our research indicates that suicidal thoughts are also common among the aged, and highlights the major role that GPs might play in the prevention of suicide in older adults."

Dr Sarah Jarvis, spokesperson for the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), said: "This article makes salutary reading for all of us in primary care. It is, of course, entirely appropriate that we continue to highlight mental health issues and suicidal ideation among the young, but this research should remind us that the elderly are vulnerable too."

The BJGP is published monthly and distributed to over 22,000 RCGP members, associates, and subscribers in more than 40 countries worldwide. Its primary purpose is to publish first-rate, peer reviewed research papers on topics relevant to primary care.

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is the largest membership organisation in the United Kingdom solely for GPs. It aims to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and to act as the "voice" of GPs on issues concerned with education, training, research, and clinical standards. Founded in 1952, the RCGP has over 22,000 members who are committed to improving patient care, developing their own skills and promoting general practice as a discipline.

http://www.rcgp.org.uk

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