Understanding Suicidal Ideations

Learn More about Suicidal Ideations

Suicidal ideation is a term that describes an unusual preoccupation of suicide that can range from fleeting thoughts to a detailed plan. These suicidal thoughts may involve unsuccessful attempts that are created to be discovered or plans that were meant to succeed. While most people who have suicidal thoughts do not go on to make attempts and ending their life, a good number of people do attempt suicide. While most commonly associated with depression, there are a number of mental disorders, life events, and stresses that may increase the risks for suicidal ideation. Suicidal thoughts may make you feel as though there’s no way out, however, there are a number of proven and effective ways to treat these thoughts, manage any underlying disorders, and develop the coping skills needed so that you are able to lead a happy, fulfilled life.

Statistics

Statistics on Suicidal Ideations

The World Health Organizations estimates that about 1 million people die by suicide each year. Suicide is clearly a major, preventable public health crisis. In 2007, suicide accounted for 34,598 deaths, making it the tenth leading cause of death in the United States overall. A projected 11 attempts at suicide are made for each death by suicide. For every 100,000 people, there are approximately 11.3 suicide deaths. In 2007, suicide was the seventh leading cause of death for males and the fifteenth leading cause for death among females; nearly four times as many men as women die by suicide. The gender disparities in suicidal behaviors are largely attributed to the fact that men use more lethal means to end their lives.

Causes of Suicidal Ideations

What are the Causes and Risk Factors of Suicidal Ideations?

There are a variety of reasons that people may begin to feel suicidal. Researchers believe that suicidal ideation is caused by a variety of factors working together to create these feelings. Causes for suicidal ideation include:

Genetic: A number of psychiatric conditions, including depression, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, and bipolar disorder are believed to be passed down from family members. One of the common symptoms of these different disorders is suicidal ideation. Additionally, many people who have suicidal ideation are also struggling with addiction to alcohol or drugs, which is thought to be a hereditary disorder.

Physical: After diagnosis with a chronic or terminal physical problem, such as cancer, people may begin to think about suicide as a means to end it before the physical problems become too much to bear. Additionally, changes in the levels – specifically lowered levels – of the neurotransmitter serotonin have been found in people who have suicidal ideation.

Environmental: Studies have determined that a number of environmental factors may increase the risk for a person to have suicidal thoughts. These may include major life stresses, such as the loss of a partner, or major life events such as divorce.

Risk Factors:

History of child abuse
Poor coping skills
Poor problem-solving abilities
Prior history of suicide attempts
Domestic violence
Firearms in the home
Incarceration
Impulsiveness
Exposure to the suicidal behaviors of others, including family members, loved ones, and friends

Signs and Symptoms of Suicidal Ideations

Learn More About the Signs and Symptoms of Suicidal Ideations

Many people who are thinking about suicide show symptoms that speak to their intentions before an attempt is made. It is also important to note that a fair number of people who are experiencing suicidal ideation may not display any symptoms whatsoever. Symptoms of suicidal ideation should always be taken seriously, and if you think your loved one is in danger of hurting themselves, this is a medical emergency.

Behavioral Symptoms:

Talking about killing oneself or harming oneself
Talking about death and dying
Seeking out items that could be used in a suicide attempt
Loss of interest in daily activities
Writing stories, poems, or internet postings about death and dying
Increased drug or alcohol usage
Getting affairs in order – making out a will, giving away favorite possessions, making arrangements for family members
Saying goodbye – calling or visiting friends and loved ones and saying goodbye as if they won’t be seen again
Withdrawing from friends and family members
Increasing social isolation
Desire to be left alone
Reckless driving
Unsafe sex
Sudden sense of calm and happiness after being severely depressed
Taking unnecessary risks

Physical Symptoms:

Neglecting physical appearance
Changes in sleeping or eating habits
Weight loss or gain

Cognitive Symptoms:

Preoccupation with thoughts of death and dying
Belief that one is helpless or trapped
Belief that nothing will improve
Belief that one is a “burden” to others

Psychosocial Symptoms:

Hopelessness
Worthlessness
Shame
Self-hatred
Guilt
Drastic mood changes
Sudden changes in personality – going from withdrawn to outgoing
Feeling that the future is a bleak place
Feeling as though there is nothing to look forward to
Untreated mental illnesses

Effects of Suicidal Ideations

Understanding the Effects of Suicidal Ideations

Suicidal ideation, if left untreated, can lead to a number of negative consequences for all involved. Effects of suicidal ideation can include:

Strained interpersonal relationships
Mood swings
Social isolation
Lower levels of interpersonal, social, and occupational functioning
Substance abuse and addiction
Alcoholism
Consequences of risky behaviors
Organ failure
Worsening of emotional and physical well-being
Bodily injury
Severe disability
Coma
Death

Effects on Suicide Survivors:

A suicide survivor is a person who has lost someone they dearly love to suicide. It’s been estimated that for every completed suicide, 6-8 suicide survivors are left behind. Many people who lose someone to suicide struggle with complicated grief, as suicide survivors may blame themselves for not preventing the suicide. Other effects on suicide survivors include:

Self-blame; feelings of responsibility
Guilt for not preventing the death
Shame
5 stages of grief – anger, denial, bargaining, depression, acceptance may last a bit longer than other types of bereavements
Inability to talk to others about grief and loss due to stigma of suicide

Co-Occurring Disorders

Suicidal Ideations and other Co-Occurring Disorders

Mental disorders are very common among those who have suicidal ideations. Over 90% of people who die by suicide suffer from a co-occurring disorder, which is why all mental health concerns should be taken seriously and treated as soon as they can be. These co-occurring disorders include: