The Desperation Point: Self-Deliverance in Middle Age

These suicides are accomplished in most cases by not following medical advice, by overdosing on their medications, by starving themselves, or by creating intentional "accidents."

The elderly more frequently experience chronic illnesses, physical impairments, unrelieved pain, financial stress, loss and grief, social isolation, and alcoholism. These conditions lead to depression. Even the process of aging itself is a contributing factor to developing depression. Lower levels of serotonin may lead to self-destructive behavior.

Heart disease, hypertension leading to strokes, diabetes mellitus, and Alzheimer's Disease are leading causes of death among older adults. It would seem that elderly persons may decide to opt for "self-deliverance" in a number of cases due to the medical conditions I have mentioned in this and the previous paragraph.

What trends can we expect in the future regarding suicide and the elderly? It is possible that the suicide rates in the elderly will increase as the baby boomers generation increases the population of the elderly. We may also observe a new phenomena of "self-deliverance" being used by adults 45-65 years of age, as more persons in this age group are struck with these chronic illnesses.

A Message from Morris Friedell on the subject of Suicide...

Thu, 14 Aug 2001

"I want to bring this subject up, not because I'm feeling depressed or it's an immanent concern, but because I value greatly the freedom for anyone to talk about any subject, no matter how dark. Maybe "suicide" can be an ice-breaker.

After I got the bad-news MRI on June 24, 1998 one of the first things I did was start to plan how I could exit before I, say, started eating glass Christmas-tree ornaments. (The frontal atrophy was what was most obvious.)

In retrospect, I feel the planning I did in 1998 was an excellent decision. It helped me recover from my depression, and it still gives me a sense of being in charge of my life, of someone who cares to minimize the burden on others, and someone who has a fighting chance of dying with dignity.

This attitude, I believe, also enhances my cognitive function.

I've posted about this topic somewhat from time to time, and I've been respected. On the other hand, no one has taken an interest in discussing suicide-planning with me. That's OK.

I've read enough to know my feelings aren't idiosyncratic.

Frequently persons with terrible injuries or diseases brighten up and "come back to life" when they know that "the door is open"

The copyright of the article The Desperation Point: Self-Deliverance in Middle Age in Death & Dying is owned by Teresa Robbins . Permission to republish The Desperation Point: Self-Deliverance in Middle Age in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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