Elderly widowers are particularly susceptible to suicide. Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. Because it is so common, many people feel that if they ignore the depression, it will disappear. This may be the clue that your illness has progressed to the stage that it needs to be treated. If left untreated, depression may lead to suicidal ideation or attempt.
Suicide is a real threat in depression.
Elderly white males are in the highest risk category for suicide, although women are also susceptible. A seven-year study showed mortality in older women increased a few percentage points when they had one to two symptoms of depression. Women with more than 10 depressive symptoms had a mortality rate fivefold greater than that of women with no such symptoms. Depressed patients have a twofold greater risk of developing diabetes than that of normal individuals. There is also a strong relationship between depression and cardiac illnesses.