SUICIDAL BEHAVIOR IN THE OLDER PATIENT WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA

Course overview

Course Description: This course is based upon material published in the journal Aging Health and is available at the National Institute of Health public access web site. Abstract Little is known about treating elderly suicidal patients with schizophrenia. The purpose of this article is to review the literature dealing with this population and to discuss what is required to advance this field. Most available studies from middle-aged and older individuals suggest that risk factors include hopelessness, lower quality of life, past traumatic events, depressive symptoms, lifetime suicidal ideation and past attempts; it is not clear whether these findings are generalizable to geriatric populations. Although little treatment research has been performed in older suicidal patients with schizophrenia, an integrated psychosocial and pharmacologic approach is recommended. In addition, one recent study augmented antipsychotic treatment with an SSRI (i.e., citalopram) in a sample of middle-aged and older individuals with schizophrenia with subsyndromal depression; in that study, serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor augmentation reduced depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. More research is required to better understand suicidal behavior in older patients with schizophrenia. This course on suicidal behavior in geriatric schizophrenic patients is practical for social workers, professional counselors, psychologists, nurses, dieticians and chemical dependency counselors who work with the elderly and need continuing education. This course is appropriate for beginning, intermediate and advanced level practitioners who wish to develop their understanding of the special needs of a geriatric population. It may also be useful for licensed clinicians who require clinical course credits and are interested in learning more about schizophrenia and suicidal behavior in the elderly. Authors: Kasckow, Montross, Prunty, Fox and Zisook Learning Objectives: This course will provide the practitioner with detailed information regarding schizophrenia and the elderly. Specifically, a professional will: Describe suicidal behavior in the elderly with schizophrenia Identify treatment approaches that are recommended for this population Distinguish medications that may be effective for older patients with schizophrenia Citation: Kasckow, Montross, Prunty, Fox and Zisook. (2011). Suicidal behavior in the older patient with schizophrenia. Aging Health. June 7(3) 379 to393. Visit us on the web for unlimited online courses. We have over 200 online courses available!