Fighting Suicidal Ideation

The same way a computer virus can consume a computer's operating system, and definitely its operation. Negative thoughts can consume human's mind and his functionalities. Suicidal ideation or thoughts are common negative thoughts we rarely talked about, they ranges from fleeting thoughts about suicide to unusual preoccupation with thinking about death or distinctly thinking about how to make it happen to having specific and detailed plan of getting it done. People have the urge of ending their lives usually when they feel they can no longer bear the pain or the difficult situations they are in.
Suicidal ideation as defined by the Columbia-Suicide Rating Scale, adopted and recommended by international agencies like FDA, WHO, JCAHO and Best Practices Library

is the presence of at least one of the following conditions: (1) wish to be dead; (2) nonspecific active suicidal thoughts; (3) active suicidal ideation with any method (not plan) without intent to act; (4) active suicidal ideation with some intent to act, without specific plan; or (5) active suicidal ideation with specific plan or intent.

Suicide itself ranked 14th among the leading cause of world mortality, which translates to 1.5% of the cause of death worldwide. Of all causes of death, suicide is the most directly linked to the psychological issues, a suicide played out the act in 'head' before making the decision to carry it out.

Suicide is the act of an individual intentionally ending their own life.

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Those with higher risk factors of been suicidal

There seems to be no clear factor to blame for thinking or attempting suicide. It often results from different factors coming to play to form a complex interaction. Different Societal factors can lead to or sometimes combine with and aggravate a psychiatric disorder to make suicide feel like the easy way out.

According different studies Men are more likely to commit suicide at the ratio of three to one, which is quite surprising considering there have been more reported cases of women suffering from mental health issues can trigger suicide such as depression and anxiety. Though there are other factors that can involved.

Men between the age of 40 - 66 are more prone to having suicidal thoughts or committing suicide than the younger ones.

They obviously under more pressure financially and socially with more responsibilities and the likely entrance of midlife crisis which comes with some of the risk factors of suicide. At this stage, they steadily grow into silent, strong, in control semblance.

The regular suspect and widely acclaimed higher risk factor of suicidality are those diagnosed of mental health conditions. Studies on the psychological autopsy suggest that 90% of people that die by committing suicide have psychiatric disorder before their death. It is not uncommon for those suffering psychotic disorder to be having suicidal thoughts.
Having psychiatric conditions is not a sure sign someone will be experiencing suicidal ideation, having one of combination of these conditions however increase the risk of suicidal ideation. Few of the conditions that can trigger suicidal ideation includes

• Schizophrenia
• Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
• Major depressive disorder
• Dissociative identity disorder
• Borderline Personality disorder
• Bipolar
• Body dysmorphia
• Anorexia nervosa
• Social Anxiety etc

Depression should probably be on top of any cause of suicidal ideation list, it is the most mentioned cause of suicide. Depression often arise from not doing well socioeconomically as planned or expected.

Those in the lower social-economic group, especially middle aged are found to be more at risk of having suicidal thoughts or behaviors, and committing suicide. Other factors that can lead to depression are hopelessness, loss of job/unemployment, debt, breakdown in marriage/divorce, loss of loved ones, chronic illness, abuse, social isolation and so on.

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Helping Others Overcome Suicidal Ideation

Suicide ideation is never a rap of the 'sufferer' mental strength, we are all different with different level of experience and the pain we can bear.
Admittedly, it is difficult to get people having suicidal thoughts to open up. Only few people having these thoughts give hints about how they are feeling, which makes it hard to believe most times for the friends and family of those that committed suicide to think they can take their own lives. In other cases, people that are thinking of ending their lives give a subtle or sometimes desperate call for help which their loved ones ignore or take as a classless show of frustration. Bottling up their feelings aggravate their depression.

It is important to offer listening ears and care to those feeling depressed or frustrated or those that are going through bad patches. Having opportunity to let it out can make them feel better about their situations, about their lives and give them assurance that someone actually cares.That may go a long way in saving people's lives. If there is a small sign of someone exhibiting suicidal behaviours. The best thing to do is to seek immediate support from a doctor, nearest emergency room or call a suicide/crisis hotline. It is important to get help as soon possible if someone exhibits any of the following.

• Talks about suicide or been fed up with life
• Withdraws from everyone
• Uses or increases the use of drug and alcohol
• Gets dangerous weapons or substance
• Engages in dangerous activities
• Feels hopeless or stop living
• Pays no attention to one's well being

Suicidal behaviors are not limited the above and they can spotted with some little attention.

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Having Suicidal thoughts?

If you are constantly having suicidal thoughts and you are feeling hopeless, thinking nobody cares. Well some do care about you, they may be preoccupied with their own problems or daily activities. But they do, at least someone does.
The key to overcoming suicidal thoughts, depression and hopelessness is to talk it out. Sometimes our situations may block us from seeing life objectively and life situation can be temporary, they often are

Again, suicidal thoughts is no sign of mental weakness or character defect. A lot of people have been in and out of that stage of hopelessness, so it definitely not permanent. Your life is definitely worth much, and YOU can bring back hope. Emotions are always fleeting, the way you are feeling can change in no time.
Even mental health conditions that be treated and managed with the right lifestyle, therapy, and medication.
It is crucial to find courage, hope and purpose to life again.
You have to find someone you trust - a friend, family, clergy, doctor or a counsellor you can talk to. If the first person you talk to can't get through, someone else will. Try another person. There are professional waiting to help you, to help save your life. All it takes it some little effort from you.

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I have not been writing much lately for some reasons, I do hope someone found this post interesting, but most importantly helpful.

A feedback or a criticism or correction in the comment will be welcome and appreciated.

Thank you for reading.

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Image Source : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

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Reference

The Psychology of Suicidal Behaviour

Suicide

Treatment for suicidal ideation

Dealing with Suicidal Thoughts