Observational Study of Elderly Suicidal Deaths

Authors

  • G. Jhansi Lakshmi
  • A. Yadaiah
  • Shetty Srinivas
  • S. Mounika

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i1.18886

Keywords:

Suicide, Elderly deaths, cause of death, socio-economic status, physical illness, mental illness, dependency, agricultural works, locality, gastro-intestinal diseases and physical ailments

Abstract

Suicide is a self-planed and deliberate termination of one’s own life. Painful experiences suffered during their life
lead to varying degrees of depersonalization and alienation. In the course of defending themselves from onslaught
of negative stimuli, elderly people establish a desire for hastened death. An Observational study of suicides among
elderly age group ≥60 years was conducted in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Osmania
Medical College and General Hospital, Hyderabad during the period of 2016 to 2020.Police inquests, hospital
records, toxicological reports and suicide letters were collected and studied.The total elderly suicidal deaths
during the period of 5 years were 257, more common among 60-64 years aged people. Educated, middle class,
joint family and different categories of professional background with physical ailments were common factors in
the study. The methods used for suicide ranged from poisoning, hanging, burns to fall from height. The results
were analysed and compared with previous research studies and this study matched with results of several other
studies. This is possibly due to beginning of dependency and stressful life following their retirements. Suicide
is the 3rdleading unnatural cause of death among elderly which is not an impulsive act.Intervention in the aged
suicide will be a complex task and should involve changes at different levels of the current aged care system.

Author Biographies

  • G. Jhansi Lakshmi

    Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology,Osmania Medical College, Koti, Hyderabad, Telangana State, 500001, India

  • A. Yadaiah

    Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology,
    Osmania Medical College, Koti, Hyderabad, Telangana State, 500001, India

  • Shetty Srinivas

    Senior Resident,Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology,
    Osmania Medical College & Hospital, Koti, Hyderabad, Telangana State, 500001, India.

  • S. Mounika

    Junior Resident, Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology,Osmania Medical College & Hospital, Koti, Hyderabad, Telangana State, 500001, India.

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Published

2022-12-21

How to Cite

Observational Study of Elderly Suicidal Deaths. (2022). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 17(1), 19-24. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v17i1.18886