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Suicide in the elderly in antiquity
Author(s) -
Seidel Geoffrey
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.930101216
Subject(s) - mental illness , politics , physical illness , suicide prevention , psychiatry , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , injury prevention , medical illness , psychology , medicine , medical emergency , political science , law , mental health , illness behavior
Self‐killing in the elderly of the Greco‐Roman world is explored through the study of 89 case descriptions and an investigation of ancient philosophical and medical writings. Social, political and ethical dimensions are prominent as well as medical and psychiatric ones, and the related issue of euthanasia cannot be avoided. Physical illness and to a lesser extent mental illness were significant causes of suicide in the elderly. Historical data can contribute towards an informed debate on these issues in today's world.