Preventing suicide in older people.

Prompt recognition of suicidal intent can prevent suicide in the elderly. Some psychiatric disorders, such as depression, psychoses and organic brain syndromes, can predispose these persons to suicide, as can medical disorders that result in pain, disability or dysfunction. Other factors that increase the risk for suicide include chemical dependency and changing life events. Anti-depressant medications with a low anticholinergic and sedative profile are preferred because of age-related physiologic changes. Electroconvulsive therapy is reserved for serious cases.