[Psychodynamics of suicide in the aged]

The highest rates of suicide are found in the aged, especially among the old men. The analysis of the literature shows three main aspects: 1. The decrease of the strength of the body is seen as an important factor, but exists only in the background. 2. The keeping of one's ground in the arrangement with his/her entourage, in which feelings of oppression often occur. 3. The balance-sheet of one's life, in which the possibilities for the final stage of life are playing a decisive role. The independence of the suicide in the aged is found to be not so. Differences in motivation between the sexes are not demonstrated. It is assumed that men react quicker with a suicide than women do in a corresponding situation.