Psychological consequences of anxiety on loneliness and suicide ideation among retirees: A psycho-social review

Pages: 38-40
Ritu Sekhri (Department of Psychology, Post Grdauate, Government College, Sector-11, Chandigarh )
Ashok Sekhri (Retired Deputy General Manager, State Bank of India, Jalandhar )

The life of integrity and despair as described by Erickson in the eighth stage of psychosocial development implies acceptance of a life that was well-lived. At this stage, an evaluative look back comes to his or her previous one’s life. But at the same time, he or she can have a different frame of mind on account of disdainful attitude of the family and society leading to multiple health problems and as a last resort to commit suicide even because of the feeling of solitude and disrespectful actions of his near and dear ones. The present paper aims to discuss the psychological effect of anxiety on two of the various mental dilemmas: loneliness and suicide during the retirement life. It has also been emphasized that the financial dependence is also responsible for the isolation and suicidal tendencies among the elderly people. Thoughts play a pivotal role in the intensity, quality, and persistence of an individual’s mood, state of nature, and behavior. It is viewed that the anxiety – physical and mental dissatisfaction after leaving the active service are the root cause of loneliness and suicidal ideation.