Suicide in older adults: the role of emotions and cognition

Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2014 Nov;16(11):495. doi: 10.1007/s11920-014-0495-3.

Abstract

Suicide in older adults is a significant clinical concern. In this review of recent findings, we concentrate on the role of emotions and cognition in suicide risk and behavior in older adults. We discuss the epidemiology of suicide in older adults, integrate recent findings on non-psychotic major depression, schizophrenia and suicidal ideation, explore the relationship of emotion regulation with suicide, present recent advances on suicide in demented patients, and describe the latest developments on cognition and decision processes in suicide.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aging / psychology*
  • Cognition / physiology*
  • Dementia / epidemiology
  • Dementia / psychology*
  • Emotions / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology
  • Mental Disorders / psychology*
  • Suicide / psychology*
  • Suicide / statistics & numerical data