Talking about suicide can be a very scary topic for many people. Some people are afraid to ask if someone is having thoughts of suicide for fear that they will put the idea in the persons head. This is a myth. We all know suicide is a possibility, and it helps to talk about it. Many of us have thought about it at one time or another. For most people it is just a fleeting thought at a difficult period in one’s life. We don’t spend hours thinking about it, or have a plan to carry it out.

The information from this blog is based on a newsletter from New Dimension’s Day Treatment Center. We all have mildly intrusive thoughts at times. They can be outrageous or taboo, and can be distressing. For most of us these are just fleeting thoughts that we can brush off. Or we might briefly wonder where that wild thought came from. Again, we don’t spend a lot of time distressing over them. However if you are someone who struggles with an anxiety disorder or depression, you might spend hours or days ruminating on these thoughts.

Depression and thoughts of suicide

If these intrusive thoughts are about suicide or dying it can be overwhelming. When someone is depressed they are sad, feel isolated, hopeless and no longer enjoy the things that they used to enjoy. Suicidal thoughts may follow. If you are in this situation, it is important to get help.

Anxiety and thoughts of suicide

Extreme anxiety can lead to suicidal thinking. With anxiety disorders, people can be in a constant state of fight or flight. Our alarm bells are going off and we don’t feel safe. We all know what anxiety feels like, but again, we can usually shake it off and go on with our day. Someone with extreme anxiety is caught in a pattern of negative thinking. We call these cognitive distortions. When this occurs the person can only see one narrow way of thinking, and it is negatively based. It is very difficult to see other options when someone is stuck in this way of thinking. Anyone who is anxious long enough will eventually become depressed.

Severity levels of thoughts suicide

Passive thoughts

This is just wishing you were no longer here, or didn’t exist. Life would be easier if you didn’t have to deal with whatever situation you are in. You don’t have a plan to kill yourself and you don’t have a way to do it.

Active

These thoughts are a little more serious as you are thinking more about it, and have thought of ways you might carry it out.

Specific thoughts of suicide and a plan

If someone plans to kill him or herself and has a means to do so, it is very dangerous. It is critical that the person seeks emergency care at this point in time, as they are at greater risk for attempting suicide. Find out what the persons plan is and remove it from the home. For example if they say they are going to shoot themselves, get the gun out of the house and give it to someone else for safekeeping.

If alcohol is involved the person is at an even greater risk for doing something impulsive.

Thoughts of self-harm

These may involve something else, such as cutting or burning. It is important to seek treatment if you are experiencing these, as it could lead to serious harm or accidental death.

What to do if you are having thoughts of suicide

Talk to someone

Find someone you trust, a friend or family member. It may be the last thing you want to do, as you may want to isolate, or feel that you are a burden. This is the time to reach out. These people love you and care about you.

Call a therapist

If you are having passive thoughts with no plan, call a therapist. If you let your therapist know that you are having thoughts of suicide, he or she will squeeze you in, even if their schedule is full.

Go to doctor, urgent care or emergency room

If you are having active thoughts, and have a means or plan, you should seek emergency care. This may be very scary, but these people are equipped to talk with you and get you the help you need to keep you safe.

What happens after you seek help

If you are have a plan to kill yourself these professionals will get you the help you need. It may be medication, hospitalization (to keep you stable and get past the crisis point), and an appointment for therapy.

Follow up with therapist

It is critical that you seek therapy after being suicidal. Try not to be ashamed or embarrassed, as we are here for you. We have sat with many people who have had thoughts of suicide, are depressed and anxious. Therapy is a safe plan to land your storm, with no judgment.

If this is something you struggle with, give me a call at 713-304-6554.

Take care,

Debbie