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Suicidal Thoughts
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Signs & Symptoms
• Writing a suicide note.
• Suicidal threats, gestures, or attempts.
• Thoughts of suicide that don’t go away or occur often.
Causes
• Depression.
• Bipolar disorder.
• Schizophrenia.
• Grief. Loss of a loved one.
• A side effect of some medicines. One is isotretinoin. This is prescribed for severe acne. Some antidepressants have this effect, too. This is more of a risk in the first days to the first month they are taken.
• A family history of suicide or depression.
• Money and relationship problems.
• Increasing use of alcohol and/or drugs.
• Withdrawing from others.
• Showing rage or seeking revenge.
• Behaving recklessly.
• Talking about feeling trapped, hopeless, or in unbearable pain.
Treatment
• Emergency care.
• Treating the mental and/or physical problems that lead to thoughts and attempts of suicide. Examples are bipolar disorder and depression.
• Counseling.
• Talking with family and friends often.
Mental Health America (MHA)
800.969.6642
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800.273.TALK (273.8255)
Questions to Ask
Question 1
Are any of these problems present?
• Suicide attempts or gestures. Does the person stand on the edge of a bridge, cut his or her wrists, etc.?
• Plans are being made for suicide. Has the person gotten a weapon or pills that could be used for suicide?
• Thoughts of suicide or death occur over and over.
• After being very depressed, the person suddenly felt better and stated something like “Now I know what I have to do,” or “Now I see how to make everything better.”
Get medical care without delay. If symptoms are life threatening go to the ER or call 9-1-1. Don’t call 9-1-1 or use the ER if symptoms do not threaten life. Ask your doctor ahead of time where you should go for a problem that needs prompt care, but not emergency care.
Question 2
Has the person recently done any of these things?
• Repeated statements that show thoughts of suicide, such as, “I want to be dead,” or “I don’t want to live anymore.”
• Given away favorite things. Cleaned the house. Gotten legal matters in order.
You should be seen by your doctor or counselor. Contact your doctor, counselor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
Question 3
With thoughts of suicide or death, are any of these problems present?
• Depression or symptoms of depression.
• Bipolar disorder (manic-depression).
• Schizophrenia.
• Any other mental health or medical condition.
You should be seen by your doctor or counselor. Contact your doctor, counselor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
Question 4
Have thoughts of suicide occurred after taking, stopping, or changing the dose of a prescribed medicine (this includes certain antidepressants) or using drugs and/or alcohol?
You should be seen by your doctor or counselor. Contact your doctor, counselor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
Question 5
Does the person thinking about suicide have other blood relatives who died from or attempted suicide?
You should be seen by your doctor or counselor. Contact your doctor, counselor or health care provider to find out how soon you should be seen.
Use Self-Care / Prevention:
You can probably take care of the problem yourself if you answered NO to all the questions. Use the “Self-Care” measures that are listed. Call your doctor if you don’t feel better soon, though. You may have some other problem.
Self-Care / Prevention
For Suicidal Thoughts
• Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.8255.
• Let someone know. Talk to your doctor, a trusted family member, friend, or teacher. If it is hard for you to talk to someone, write your thoughts down. Let someone else read them.
To Help Prevent a Suicide
• Keep firearms, drugs, etc., away from persons at risk.
• Take courses that teach problem solving, coping skills, and suicide awareness.
• If you think the person is serious about suicide, get help. Watch and protect him or her until you get help. Keep the person talking. Ask questions such as, “Are you thinking about hurting or killing yourself?”
• Urge the person to call for help (e.g., his or her health care provider, a suicide prevention hotline, EMS, etc.) Make the call yourself if the person can’t or won’t.
• Express concern. The person needs to know that someone cares. Most suicidal persons feel alone. Tell the person how much he or she means to you and others. Talk about reasons to stay alive. Don’t judge. The person needs someone to listen, not preach moral values.
• Tell the person that depression and thinking about suicide can be treated. Urge him or her to get professional care. Offer help in seeking care.
This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.
The American Institute for Preventive Medicine (AIPM) is not responsible for the availability or content of external sites, nor does AIPM endorse them. Also, it is the responsibility of the user to examine the copyright and licensing restrictions of external pages and to secure all necessary permission.
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