Understanding Suicidal Thoughts

Learn about suicidal thoughts

Suicide is the act of taking your own life, and it is a heartbreaking reaction to stressful life situations that an individual feels that they cannot cope with. Someone who believes that there is truly no other option to solve their problems may be experiencing suicidal ideation, also referred to as suicidal thoughts. Suicidal ideation is the presence of active thoughts about killing oneself. These thoughts may include a detailed plan or may be a fleeting consideration. Additionally, suicidal ideation may be deliberately assembled to be unsuccessful or may be intended to result in death. Although not everyone having suicidal ideations acts on these suicidal thoughts, some individuals may make suicide attempts, so this topic should not be taken lightly.

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors are complex, since a number of factors can change the way the feelings are experienced, the types of thoughts that develop, and the way in which they may be presented. Someone suffering with suicidal thoughts may feel as if no one can understand the anguish they are experiencing. Many times individuals with suicidal thoughts and behaviors are unwilling to disclose their thoughts and feelings to others for fear of being rejected, being seen as a weak individual, or being seen as flawed in some way.

Statistics

Suicidal thoughts statistics

The highest prevalence rates and fastest rate of growth for suicide are seen in middle age. Prevalence rates are 27.3 per 100,000 in middle-aged men and 8.1 per 100,000 in middle-aged women.

Co-occurring Disorders

Suicidal thoughts and co-occurring disorders

A number of different disorders are known to co-occur with suicidal thoughts and behavior. These include:

Depressive disorders
Anxiety disorders
Adjustment disorders
Schizophrenia
Substance use disorders
Dissociative identity disorder
Gender dysphoria
Eating disorders
Body dysmorphic disorder
Anxiety disorders
ADHD
Alcoholism
Bipolar disorder
Panic disorder
Disruptive disorders
Conduct disorders
Borderline personality disorder
Personality disorders

Causes and Risk Factors

Causes and risk factors of suicidal thoughts

There is not one exact cause for suicidal behavior and ideations; it is believed to be a combination of many different factors:

Genetic: Certain disorders like major depressive disorder run in families, and the presence of one of these disorders put individuals at a higher risk for suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Biological: It’s thought that mental illnesses may be related to changes in the structure and function of the brain. If a mental illness is strongly correlated with suicide, this may be a risk factor for suicide.

Environmental: Individuals who have not learned the coping skills needed to deal with the stressors of life may believe that suicide is their only option. These individuals may feel hopeless, alone, and that there is nothing that can be done that will make life any better.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of suicidal thoughts

While you are not able to always tell when an individual is contemplating suicide, there are a number of warning signs you can look for. Some of the most common signs include:

Talking about suicide, making statements such as “I wish I were dead”
Withdrawing from friends and loved ones, wanting to be alone
Getting the means to commit suicide, such as stocking up on pills or buying a gun
Severe mood swings
Feeling trapped or hopeless about situation
Preoccupation with death, dying, or violence
Increased use and abuse of drugs and alcohol
Change in normal routine, such as sleep or eating patterns
Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order
Engaging in risky or self-destructive behavior
Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t see them again
Personality changes, such as severe anxiety or agitation

Effects

Effects of suicidal thoughts

Suicide attempts can result in a multitude of negative physical effects. The effects experienced depend on the method used during the attempt. These can include:

Total organ failure
Specific organ failure
Brain damage
Paralysis
Coma
Death

Suicide survivors are the people that are left behind following a successful suicide attempt. Suicide survivors can also experience a wide variety of effects as a result of their loved one’s death. These effects include: