Age and methods of fatal self harm (FSH). Is there a link?

Objectives. To examine the methods of fatal self harm (FSH) used by the eld erly compared to young adults. Methods. We compared the methods of FSH used by all the elderly over 60 yea rs of age to those used by all younger adults, over 16 and under 60, in the city of Birmingham and Solihull over a period of 4 years. 1995-1998. We ap plied the term FSH to all deceased who were subjects of Coroner's inquests and attracted verdicts of suicide and open verdicts. Findings. A significantly higher proportion of the elderly who fatally harm ed themselves did so by drowning and asphyxia compared to the younger age g roup (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Significantly mon women over th e age of 60 committed acts of FSH by tying a plastic bag around the neck th an those under 60 (p < 0.05). Method of death was not ascertained in a much higher proportion of elderly FSH (p < 0.01). The most common method of sui cide among elderly men and women were hanging and self-poisoning by overdos e, respectively. Conclusion. The study shows that the most common method of suicide in the e lderly is poisoning by drug overdose. It raises the question about the quan tity of drugs prescribed for the elderly, e.g. antidepressants, sedatives a nd pain killers. The study did not confirm previous reports that violent me thods are used more frequently with increasing age. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.