Suicide attempts among the elderly

The purpose of the study is to describe the life stories leading to the suicide attempts. In-depth interviews with nine persons who had attempted suicide (six females and three males, mean age 73 years) were analysed using a qualitative method. Five categories describe the main interview topics: "I had to leave home to survive." (childhood, youth), "You have to bear it." (adult life), "I will manage, I always have." (present life), "You have to give in order to get. If you have nothing to offer, then life is not worth living." (expectations for future life), "I want to decide my own life." (reflections concerning the suicide attempt). The life stories have a common theme; the patients grew up under very difficult conditions and had little emotional support. Their basic trust was poorly developed and their self-esteem was dependent on their capability to work and to give. Without this capability they felt worthless, and life was unbearable. Attempted suicide was the consequence.