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with. Persons in their middle years often feel that they have reached the top of their ladder of accomplishments but have fallen far short of their goals; they see no need to continue what has become for them a losing battle. Among the elderly, retirement, loss of spouse and friends to death, deteriorating physical health land forced dependence on ■others are too many changes too rapidly and an end to life is viewed as relieving others of the burden which they believe themselves to have become.
Suicide is rarely an impulsive act—it can often be prevented. The tendency to commit suicide is not usually the result of mental illness, but rather a disturbance in emotional balance and the ability to cope with crises. People who talk about suicide do commit suicide. Any threat, however patent or subtle, should be taken seriously. Chronic alcoholism and drug abuse are means of suicide which are often not recognized as such.
Some changes which might serve as a forewarning include: mood or behaviorial changes—frequently the person considering suicide will give away prized possessions or stop engaging in activities which previously were very important; depression—often in conjunction with alcohol or drug abuse; a loss of energy and a pre-occupation with one’s
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