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Suicide in Older Adults: The Role of Emotions and Cognition

  • Geriatric Disorders (W McDonald, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Suicide in older adults is a significant clinical concern. In this review of recent findings, we concentrate on the role of emotions and cognition in suicide risk and behavior in older adults. We discuss the epidemiology of suicide in older adults, integrate recent findings on non-psychotic major depression, schizophrenia and suicidal ideation, explore the relationship of emotion regulation with suicide, present recent advances on suicide in demented patients, and describe the latest developments on cognition and decision processes in suicide.

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Conflict of Interest

Dimitris N. Kiosses has received a grant from the NIMH.

Katalin Szanto has received a grant from the NIMH.

George S. Alexopoulos has received a grant from the NIMH and Forest. He has also received consultancy fees from Forest, Hoffman-LaRoche, Janssen, Lilly, Lundbeck, Otsuka, and Pfizer. Dr. Alexopoulos has also received honoraria payments from Astra Zeneca, Avanir, Forest, Merck, Novartis, Sunovion, and Takeda-Lundbeck.

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Correspondence to Dimitris N. Kiosses.

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Kiosses, D.N., Szanto, K. & Alexopoulos, G.S. Suicide in Older Adults: The Role of Emotions and Cognition. Curr Psychiatry Rep 16, 495 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-014-0495-3

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