Escalating, Interrelated Systemic Medical and Psychiatric Illnesses with Unrelenting Suicidality

Abstract

This is a case of the treatment of a woman between ages 60 and 81 a with severe esophagitis and worsening spinal pathology, as well multiple other “experienced” (but not proven) maladies requiring ED (emergency department) attention. Alienation of her three children and other supporting people, as well as exhaustion of financial resources, resulted in repeated loss of health system resources. She received repeated psychiatric treatments, including periods of inpatient treatment that included ECT, but with little improvement. Of note are her attempts to reengage family through escalation of her psychiatric complaints including threats of suicide. Of clear benefit was the committed effort of her PCP, and repeated involvement of caregivers.