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Articles: My Thoughts | SUICIDE
- Mr. Siri Siri
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A suicidal person may:
· Talk about suicide, death, and/or no reason to live.
· Be preoccupied with death and dying.
· Withdraw from friends and/or social activities.
· Have a recent severe loss (especially relationship) or threat of a significant loss.
· Experience drastic changes in behavior.
· Lose interest in hobbies, work, school, etc.
· Prepare for death by making out a will (unexpectedly) and final arrangements.
· Give away prized possessions.
· Have attempted suicide before.
· Take unnecessary risks; be reckless, and/or impulsive.
· Lose interest in their personal appearance.
· Increase their use of alcohol or drugs.
· Express a sense of hopelessness.
· Be faced with a situation of humiliation or failure.
· Have a history of violence or hostility.
· Have been unwilling to “connect” with potential helpers.
Nearly everyone at some time in his or her life thinks about suicide. Most everyone decides to live because they come to realize that the crisis is temporary, but death in not. On the other hand, people in the midst of a crisis often perceive their dilemma as inescapable and feel an utter loss of control.
Frequently, they:
· Can’t stop the pain If you experience any of these feelings, get help!
· Can’t think clearly
· Can’t make decisions If you know someone who exhibits these feelings, offer help!
· Can’t see any way out
· Can’t sleep eat or work
· Can’t get out of the depression
· Can’t make the sadness go away
· Can’t see the possibility of change
· Can’t see themselves as worthwhile
· Can’t get someone’s attention
· Can’t seem to get control
THE LINKS BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE
· Major depression is the psychiatric diagnosis most commonly associated with suicide.
· About 2/3 of people who complete suicide are depressed at the time of their deaths.
· One out of every sixteen people who are diagnosed with depression eventually go on to end their lives through suicide.
· About 7 out of every hundred men and 1 out of every hundred women who have been diagnosed with depression in their lifetime will go on to complete suicide.
· The risk of suicide in people with major depression is about 20 times that of the general population.
· People who have had multiple episodes of depression are at greater risk for suicide than those who have had one episode.
· People who have a dependence on alcohol or drugs in addition to being depressed are at greater risk for suicide.
· People who are depressed and exhibit the following symptoms are at particular risk for suicide:
1. Extreme hopelessness
2. A lack of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable
3. Heightened anxiety and/or panic attacks
4. Global insomnia
5. Talk about suicide or a prior history of attempts/acts
6. Irritability and agitation
WAYS TO BE HELPFUL TO SOMEONE WHO IS THREATENING SUICIDE
1. Be aware. Learn the warning signs.
2. Get involved. Become available. Show interest and support.
3. Ask if he/she is thinking about suicide.
4. Be direct. Talk openly and freely about suicide.
5. Be willing to listen. Allow for expressions of feelings. Accept the feelings.
6. Be non-judgmental. Don’t debate whether suicide is right or wrong, or feelings are good or bad. Don’t lecture on the value of life.
7. Don’t dare him/her to do it.
8. Don’t give advice by making decisions for someone else to tell them to behave differently.
9. Don’t ask “why.” This encourages defensiveness.
10. Offer empathy, not sympathy.
11. Don’t act shocked. This creates distance.
12. Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Seek support.
13. Offer hope that alternatives are available, do not offer glib reassurance; it only proves you don’t understand.
14. Take action! Remove means! Get help from individuals or agencies specializing in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.
Teenagers experience strong feelings of stress, confusion, self-doubt, pressure to succeed, financial uncertainty, and other fears while growing up. For some teenagers, divorce, the formation of a new family with step-parents and step-siblings, or moving to a new community can be very unsettling and can intensify self-doubts. For some teens, suicide may appear to be a solution to their problems and stress.
Depression and suicidal feelings are treatable mental disorders. The child or adolescent needs to have his or her illness recognized and diagnosed, and appropriate treatment plans developed. When parents are in doubt whether their child has a serious problem, a psychiatric examination can be very helpful.
Many of the symptoms of suicidal feelings are similar to those of depression.
Parents should be aware of the following signs of adolescents who may try to kill themselves:
*change in eating and sleeping habits
*withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
*violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away
*drug and alcohol use
*unusual neglect of personal appearance
*marked personality change
*persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork
*frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.
*loss of interest in pleasurable activities
not tolerating praise or rewards
A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also:
*complain of being a bad person or feeling rotten inside
*give verbal hints with statements such as: I won't be a problem for you much longer, Nothing matters, It's no use, and I won't see you again
*put his or her affairs in order, for example, give away favorite possessions, clean his or her room, throw away important belongings, etc.
*become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
have signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts)
If a child or adolescent says, I want to kill myself, or I'm going to commit suicide, always take the statement seriously and immediately seek assistance from a qualified mental health professional. People often feel uncomfortable talking about death. However, asking the child or adolescent whether he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide can be helpful. Rather than putting thoughts in the child's head, such a question will provide assurance that somebody cares and will give the young person the chance to talk about problems.
If one or more of these signs occurs, parents need to talk to their child about their concerns and seek professional help when the concerns persist. With support from family and professional treatment, children and teenagers who are suicidal can heal and return to a more healthy path of development.
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