Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts

nerjeen.laktineh الجمعة يونيو 17, 2011 12:48 pm

Definition

Suicide is a tragic reaction to stressful life situations — and all the more tragic because suicide can be prevented. Whether you're considering suicide or know someone who feels suicidal, learn suicide warning signs and how to reach out for immediate help and professional treatment. You may save a life — your own or someone else's.

It may seem like there's no way to solve your problems and that suicide is the only way to end the pain. But you can take steps to help you stay safe — and start enjoying your life again.

Symptoms

Suicide warning signs or suicidal thoughts include:

- Talking about suicide, including making such statements as "I'm going to kill myself," "I wish I was dead" or "I wish I hadn't been born"
- Getting the means to commit suicide, such as getting a gun or stockpiling pills
- Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
- Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next
- Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence
- Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns
- Doing risky or self-destructive things, such as using drugs or driving recklessly
- Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order
- Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again
- Developing personality changes, such as becoming very outgoing after being shy

Warning signs aren't always obvious, though, and they vary from person to person. Some people make their intentions clear, while others keep suicidal thoughts and feelings secret.

If you're feeling suicidal but you aren't immediately thinking of hurting yourself:

- Reach out to a close friend or loved one — even though you may be reluctant to talk about your feelings.
- Seek help from your doctor, a mental health provider or other health care professional.
- Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your faith community.
- Call a suicide crisis center hot line.
- Make an appointment with your primary care doctor or other health care provider or mental health provider.

It's perfectly normal to occasionally feel sad, upset or unhappy with situations in your life. But if these feelings linger or leave you thinking about killing or harming yourself, seek medical help as soon as possible. Suicidal thinking usually doesn't get better on its own — so get help.

nerjeen.laktineh الجمعة يونيو 17, 2011 12:49 pm

Suicidal thoughts have numerous causes. Most often, suicidal thoughts are the result of feeling like you can't cope when you're faced with what seems to be an overwhelming life situation.

These situations could include financial problems, the death of a loved one, a relationship breakup or a debilitating illness. If you don't have hope for the future, you may mistakenly think suicide is a solution. You may experience a sort of tunnel vision, where in the middle of a crisis you believe suicide is the only way out.

There may also be a genetic link to suicide. People who complete suicide or who have suicidal thoughts or behavior are more likely to have a family history of suicide. While more research is needed to fully understand a possible genetic component, it's thought that there may be a genetic link to impulsive behavior that could lead to suicide.

nerjeen.laktineh الجمعة يونيو 17, 2011 12:52 pm

Suicide risk factors include:

- Having a prior suicide attempt
- Having an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Being intoxicated — a large percentage of suicides are committed under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Having a substance abuse problem
- Behaving recklessly or impulsively
- Feeling hopeless
- Having a family history of mental disorders or substance abuse
- Having a family history of suicide or violence, including physical or sexual abuse
- Recently undergoing a stressful life event, such as the loss of a loved one or a breakup
- Having firearms in your home
- Having a significant medical illness, such as cancer or chronic pain
- Feeling socially isolated or lonely
- Having legal problems
- Having trouble in school, social problems or disciplinary problems if you are a child or young adult
- Being male — men are more likely than women to complete suicide because they typically use more lethal means, such as a firearm
- Being homosexual with an unsupportive family or in a hostile environment
- Being a man age 65 or older

Murder and suicide

In some cases, people who are suicidal are at risk of killing others and then themselves. This is known as a homicide suicide or murder suicide. The types of feelings that trigger this tragic behavior can stem from a number of sources. Some common risk factors for murder suicide include:

- A history of conflict with a spouse or romantic partner
- Current family legal problems
- A history of mental health problems, particularly depression
- Alcohol or drug abuse or addiction
- Having access to a firearm — nearly all murder suicides are committed using a gun

Starting antidepressants and increased suicide risk

Some studies have shown a possible link between starting treatment with an antidepressant and an increased risk of suicide. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires manufacturers of all antidepressants to include a warning stating that antidepressants may increase suicide risk in young people during the first two months of treatment.

However, the link between antidepressants and suicidal thinking isn't clear — and not taking an antidepressant when it's needed also increases the risk of suicide.

To be safe, anyone who starts taking an antidepressant should be watched closely for signs of suicidal thinking. If you — or someone you know — has suicidal thoughts when taking an antidepressant, immediately contact your doctor or get emergency help.

nerjeen.laktineh الجمعة يونيو 17, 2011 12:54 pm

Suicide and suicidal thoughts have many potential complications. The most obvious and tragic, of course, is death.

But suicide and attempted suicide exact a toll in other ways, too — both for those who want to take their own life and for their loved ones. You may be so consumed by suicidal thoughts that you can't function in your daily life, for instance.

And while many suicide attempts are impulsive acts during a moment of crisis, they can leave you with permanent serious or debilitating injuries, such as organ failure or brain damage.

For those left behind after a suicide — people known as survivors of suicide — grief, anger, depression and guilt are common.

nerjeen.laktineh الجمعة يونيو 17, 2011 12:58 pm

There are a number of steps you need to take to keep yourself from feeling suicidal:

- Eliminate potential means of committing suicide. If you think you might act on suicidal thoughts, immediately get rid of any potential means of committing suicide, such as firearms, knives or dangerous medications. If you take medications that have a potential for overdose, have a family member or friend give you your medications as prescribed.

- Get the treatment you need. If you don't treat the underlying cause, your suicidal thoughts are likely to return. You may feel embarrassed to seek treatment for your mental health problems, but getting the right treatment for depression, substance abuse or another underlying problem will make you feel better about life — and help keep you safe.

- Follow your treatment plan. Go to follow-up appointments, take medications exactly as directed, and take the other steps your doctor or mental health provider recommends.

- Establish your support network. It may be hard to talk about suicidal feelings, and your friends and family may not fully understand why you feel the way you do. Reach out anyway, and make sure the people who care about you know what's going on and are there when you need them. You may also want to get help from your church, support groups or other community resources.

- Know your warning signs. Learn to spot the danger signs early, and decide what steps to take ahead of time. It may help to write out what steps you will take if you start feeling suicidal. You may want to make a written agreement with a mental health provider or a loved one. A written plan or contract can help you take the right steps when you don't have the best judgment.

- Remember, suicidal feelings are temporary. If you feel hopeless or that life's not worth living anymore, remember that the feelings will pass. Take one step at a time and don't act impulsively. Work to regain your perspective — and life will get better.

Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts

Suicide and Suicidal Thoughts

Causes

Risk factors

Complications

Prevention