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DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE IN THE GERIATRIC PATIENT
Author(s) -
Wolff Kurt
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1969.tb02320.x
Subject(s) - medicine , depression (economics) , spouse , feeling , psychiatry , psychodynamics , suicide prevention , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , poison control , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , medical emergency , psychology , social psychology , sociology , anthropology , economics , macroeconomics
A bstract A survey was made of 200 elderly male patients in a VA hospital; 100 (Group A) had depression of the psychoneurotic or psychosomatic type with no evidence of suicidal potential, and 100 (Group B) had a psychotic depressive reaction with suicidal tendencies. The behavioral features of each group are described. In Group A the symptoms of depression were related to “loss” (of physical health, of independence, of social status, of a spouse or close relative) or “failure.” These patients were of the passive‐dependent type. In Group B, the symptoms of depression were related to compulsivity (work, ambition, perfection). These patients “introjected” their hostile feelings. Eighty per cent had suicidal tendencies. It is very important to differentiate these types of depression because the proper treatment, and the fairly good prognosis, are based upon understanding the psychodynamics.