Causes of Suicide and Preventions.
3 min read
Suicide, taking your own life, is a tragic reaction to stressful life situations — and all the more tragic because suicide can be prevented. Whether you’re considering suicide or know someone who feels suicidal, learn suicide warning signs and how to reach out for immediate help and professional treatment. You may save a life — your own or someone else’s.
It may seem like there’s no way to solve your problems and that suicide is the only way to end the pain. But you can take steps to stay safe — and start enjoying your life again.
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Symptoms
Suicide warning signs or suicidal thoughts include:
Talking about suicide — for example, making statements such as “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead” or “I wish I hadn’t been born”
Getting the means to take your own life, such as buying a gun or stockpiling pills
Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next
Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence
Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns
Doing risky or self-destructive things, such as using drugs or driving recklessly
Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there’s no other logical explanation for doing this
Saying goodbye to people as if they won’t be seen again
Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated, particularly when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above
Warning signs aren’t always obvious, and they may vary from person to person. Some people make their intentions clear, while others keep suicidal thoughts and feelings secret.
When to see a doctor
If you’re feeling suicidal, but you aren’t immediately thinking of hurting yourself:Reach out to a close friend or loved one — even though it may be hard to talk about your feelingsContact a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your faith community
Call a suicide hotlineMake an appointment with your doctor, other health care provider or a mental health professionalSuicidal thinking doesn’t get better on its own — so get help.
Request an appointment
Causes
Suicidal thoughts have many causes. Most often, suicidal thoughts are the result of feeling like you can’t cope when you’re faced with what seems to be an overwhelming life situation. If you don’t have hope for the future, you may mistakenly think suicide is a solution. You may experience a sort of tunnel vision, where in the middle of a crisis you believe suicide is the only way out.
There also may be a genetic link to suicide. People who complete suicide or who have suicidal thoughts or behavior are more likely to have a family history of suicide.
Risk factors
Although attempted suicide is more frequent for women, men are more likely than women to complete suicide because they typically use more-lethal methods, such as a firearm.
You may be at risk of suicide if you:
Attempted suicide before
Feel hopeless, worthless, agitated, socially isolated or lonely
Experience a stressful life event, such as the loss of a loved one, military service, a breakup, or financial or legal problems
Have a substance abuse problem — alcohol and drug abuse can worsen thoughts of suicide and make you feel reckless or impulsive enough to act on your thoughts
Have suicidal thoughts and have access to firearms in your home
Have an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder. Have a family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, suicide, or violence, including physical or sexual abuse
Have a medical condition that can be linked to depression and suicidal thinking, such as chronic disease, chronic pain or terminal illness.
Editor’s note: Umuaka Times is not the owners of this article.
