Age and attempted suicide

Clinical and demographic factors associated with suicide attempts admitted to the West Midlands Poisons Unit over a 2-year period were compared by age group. Risk factors for future suicide (living alone, physical illness, psychiatric illness and high suicidal intent in the attempt) were significantly more common among elderly patients (65 years and over) than middle-aged patients (35-64 years) and significantly less common among young patients (under 35 years) than middle-aged patients. Elderly patients that attempted suicide resemble elderly patients that completed suicide and should be considered at high risk of future suicide.