Citation

Schmid H, Manjee K, Shah T. Gerontologist 1994; 34(3): 332-339.

Affiliation

Brown University Medical School, Providence, RI.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8076874

Abstract

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.

Language: en