Suicidal Ideation -Symptoms and Risk Factors - How to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

"Suicidal ideation" means planning to commit suicide and wanting to take own life. This can range from a detailed plan to a quick consideration. It does not include the last acts of suicide.

There are two types of suicidal ideation: passive and active.

In this article, we will discuss the major recent developments in theoretical, experimental, and clinical psychological science on the emergence of suicidal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Suicidal Ideation -How to deal with suicidal thoughts and behaviors?

Suicidal Ideation: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors - How to Deal with Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

Introduction

Recently, suicidal thoughts have spread widely, especially among young people and adolescents, because of the loss of the purpose of life and the sense of irresponsibility, identity, and other psychosocial diseases. 

If these ideas are not controlled in time, the patient may be severely hurt and may even end his life. 

In this article, we will discuss the major recent developments in theoretical, experimental and clinical psychological sciences on the emergence of suicidal thoughts, feelings, and behaviors

Here, we will emphasize the central importance of psychological factors, social aspects and negative life events that contribute mainly to suicidal acts and behaviors and we will try to help you to get rid of suicidal thoughts and stop thinking about suicide.

Life is a Precious Gift - Don't Take It for Granted

Life is a very beautiful and precious gift given by Almighty God, we should respect this great blessing. 

Today, some people believe that life is mine, I can do whatever I want, and nobody has the right to interfere in my life. It's ok, freedom and authority are the human rights given by the Almighty God. 

But some people are trying to misinterpret the freedom and authority of the world; actually, they are misleading and seducing the world. 

As a result, the human beings are going away from reality, they are trapped in bad manners and evil deeds, therefore, their life has been disturbed and destroyed and their actual happiness, satisfaction, and real joy have disappeared from their life. 

What is the correct meaning of freedom and authorities given to human beings? Do they have authority over their life? Do they have the right to enjoy their life whenever they want and when they face any problem they could felicitate and destroy themselves? 

The answer is ‘no’. Actually, life is God’s trust that has been given to us for examination; No one can betray God’s trust.  

If anybody tries to betray him in this assurance and attempt to suicide and ruin his life, he commits an incredible offense and unforgettable crime and he will be always humiliated, defamed and punished in both this world and the other worlds.

Suicidal Ideation- Thoughts and Feelings

"Suicidal ideation" means planning to commit suicide. This can range from a detailed plan to quick consideration. It does not include the last acts of suicide. 

There are many risk factors of suicidal ideation like depression, tension, anxiety, impulsive and stressful acts such as financial difficulties, bullying, problems with relationships, personality disorders, bipolar and mental disorders, schizophrenia, drug abuse - including alcoholism and use of benzodiazepines. 

In severe cases, these are temporary and can be treated, but in some cases, they endanger the individual because of trying or completing suicide. 

Most people who experience suicidal thoughts and ideation do not take it, although some may make suicidal attempts.

Suicidal ideation-How to deal with suicidal thoughts and feelings

Self-Injurious and Suicidal Acts

Suicide is a deliberate act that causes one's death. Many people experience it when they are under pressure and undergoing stress or suffering from depression. 

Suicide prevention efforts include reducing suicide methods - such as firearms, poisons, and drugs; treating mental disorders, stopping misuse of materials; watching appropriate media programs on suicide and improving economic conditions, etc.

Suicidal ideation and committing suicide are two different things. Suicide ideas do not have to become true. 

There is no deadline, and no one is paying anyone to work on these ideas right away. Those who have suicidal ideations and thoughts should set some distance between suicidal thoughts and suicidal actions and should seek help.  

If any loved ones are getting these ideas, then they should be helped to help and protect them.

Causes and Risk Factors for Suicidal Thoughts

The most common situations or life events that may cause suicidal thoughts and suicidal ideations are grief, sexual assault, financial problems, unemployment, remorse, rejection, and separation of relationship. 

The suicidal ideations can also happen when a person feels that he is no longer able to deal with an enormous position. This may stem from the death of a loved one, a devastating or debilitating disease. 

The following risk factors may have an impact on the likelihood of someone facing suicidal thoughts and ideas:

• The existence of a family history of violence, drug abuse, and mental disorders.
• The existence of mental health problems and attempted suicides by children who have disciplinary, social or school problems.
• Sleep deprivation
• Knowing, identifying, or being relative of a person who has committed suicide.
• Feeling of despair, hopelessness, isolation, or loneliness.
• Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and be subject to recklessness or reckless behavior.
• Being in financial problems or troubles with law and unity in any matter, there is no family or home support.

Conditions associated with an increased risk of suicidal thinking are:

• Disorder of schizophrenia or dissociative identity disorder, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder.
• Sexual identity disorder, gender dysphoria, adaptation disorder and marginal personality disorder.
• Anorexia nervosa, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), and panic disorder.
• Exposure to suicidal behavior in others.
• Schizophrenia and drug abuse.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and social anxiety disorder.
• Genetic factors may increase the risk of suicidal thinking. Individuals who are suffering from suicidal thoughts tend to have a family history of suicide

The Most Important Steps to Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts

Almost everyone suffers from pain and difficulty in life, there is no one alone. Some of the finest, the most impressive, God gifted and talented people experience this type of situations. 

Many of us thought of taking our own lives when we felt depressed and betrayed by all hope. But the pain of depression can be cured and hope can be renewed. 

We can encourage those people who are suffering from suicidal thoughts to tell them the value of life, saying, there are so many people in the world who need you, many places where you can make a difference, and many experiences that can remind you that life is very beautiful and worth living. 

So it needs real courage to confront, step back from the brink. Someone may use this courage to face life problems, can learn coping skills to overcome depression and find the strength to continue his valued life.

Most people with suicidal thoughts do not carry it through, although some may make suicide attempts. 

Anyone with suicidal ideation thinking should ask family, friends, and peers for help. They can help by talking to the person, asking for their presence and getting the appropriate support, for example, from the doctor if they are thinking of committing suicide and they may notice through a person's speech or behavior that he can be in danger.

 And they should take the following immediate actions:

Suicidal ideation-How to deal with suicidal thoughts and feelings

What to Do If You Have Suicidal Thoughts?

 Ask for immediate medical help

If you feel overwhelmed by suicidal thoughts, you should ask for urgent medical assistance, whether you call the emergency department in your city or go to the hospital or to your doctor.

Sometimes suicide is the result of chronic depression, The lack of some important hormones in the body.

So it will not benefit psychotherapy without undergoing immediate medical care and do not be ashamed of it.

Do not be afraid of the community's view of you, the psychological condition is completely physical that can affect anyone, anywhere and does not mean that you have poor personality.

Reach someone you trust

The chance to hurt yourself or to think about suicide generally increases the longer you stay alone.

So try to contact the person closest to you and tell him what you think.

Many of us have found that the first step to dealing with suicidal thinking and feelings is to share them with someone we trust.

It may be a friend, family member, teacher, coach, member of the clergy, therapist, family doctor, or experienced counselor may be at the end of a helpline.

You must find someone you trust and tell them how bad things are.

Do not worry about what you think

You must not allow fear, shame or embarrassment to prevent you from seeking help.

If you do not understand the first person you communicate with, you should try someone else.

Even people who feel too many bad things at that time they should escape from these feelings.

There is a very good chance to live through these feelings, no matter how much self-hatred, despair or isolation they are currently facing. They must give themselves time and should not try to go alone.

Do not let your thoughts dominate you

Usually, the desire to hurt oneself increases and the suicidal thoughts dominate the person when he is exposed to an extreme position or psychological pressure that is beyond his potential.

He thinks that he cannot deal with him and he resorts to suicide as a means of escape.

So if you encounter any of these situations, do not make suicide the first, think about yourself to wait a few days and try to calm yourself down, and make sure that the calmer you are whenever you can solve the problem easily.

Do not try to escape

The first and quickest way for a person to face a difficult situation is to escape, usually by using drugs and alcoholic beverages so badly that he may die, but what is the point of escaping in this case!

On the contrary, the absence of your mind to this degree may lead you to hurt yourself without feeling.

 If you cannot prevent yourself from these things do not sit alone, but ask a friend to stay next to you or ask him to accompany you to the hospital to get the medical care you need.

How to Protect Yourself When You Have Any Other Suicidal Thoughts?

 List all the things you love

If you have any problems or stress and know that there are many things that you are happy, you can do it easily. 

This menu may include talking to your favorite friend, eating a certain meal or even traveling around the world, etc.

Make a list of people closest to you

Each of us has a person or a group of close people resorting to them at the time of his distress, and knows perfectly well that they will stand next to him and will not let him down whatever happens.

Put a list of these people and all possible means of communication so that you can reach them at any time you feel you need help.

 List your doctor's name and contact numbers directly to the nearest psychiatric hospital or emergency contact numbers for easy access.

List the things you should do

If you have a suicidal attack, it may be difficult to remember the steps you should follow to protect yourself.

So you have to make a clear plan of what you should do in this case, most importantly reading the list of things you love and doing at least one of them.

Take a little time before making any decision, remove anything you might use to hurt yourself, and finally go to the hospital or to your doctor.

How to Keep Yourself Safe and Happy?

How to avoid suicidal thoughts, keep yourself safe, enjoy yourself and be happy

Avoid anything that might hurt you

The steps above are not all alone, especially if you have chronic suicidal thoughts.

So you should remove anything dangerous in your home as much as possible so that you do not have any means or objects that can be used to hurt yourself, such as cereals, knives, razors, or firearms, medicine pills and any sharp tool including kitchen utensils. etc.,

Throw all the medicines you do not need, go to the barbershop to cut your hair or soften your chin, and try using plastic tools in the kitchen temporarily until you finish your treatment.

If you cannot do this, you must go to a place where you feel safe.

Many study reports show that if a person seeks and maintains its safety by staying and eliminating means of suicide, such as knives, where possible, this tendency may reduce risk factors.

Do not miss visiting a doctor

Medical assistance is indispensable in this case, especially if your condition is chronic.

The main reason must be known and treated so that the thoughts completely disappear, the suicidal thoughts you may have as a result of depression, bipolar strike, or severe trauma.

Medical intervention is therefore necessary.

Avoid nervous pressure as much as possible

Suicide thoughts do not come on their own, but you have to be subjected to a stressful situation that puts you in a state of depression and mental disorder.

This can lead you to think about suicide, perhaps because some things you see as simple as dealing with people you do not like, or a dramatic movie, being alone, or taking drugs, alcohol, etc.

Know the signs of suicidal thoughts

There are some symptoms that precede the bout of suicidal thoughts.

If you can know them accurately, you may be able to prevent the seizure from happening or at least prepare to confront it.

The most important symptoms are the feeling of anger, the intensity of the reactions without a clear cause, the intense feeling of disappointment, loss of hope in everything, the recklessness,  the act of doing things that are not calculated, the isolation from others,  the feeling of adherence, the intense anxiety.

Your sleep usually changes clearly, such as loss of sleep ability, sleep for too long hours, loss of interest in the things you love, and the tendency to use drugs and alcohol as a means of escaping reality.

When you notice these signs, you should tell your friend immediately.

You should remember, although you are in a lot of problems right now, you must give yourself a distance between ideas and action.

Conclusion

We must encourage and help the person who has suicidal thoughts and feelings to call the helpline or contact the individual person may turn out to get support, for example, a friend, family member, or spiritual mentor. 

A person who has this feeling, he should put some emergency phone numbers at hand, for example, a trusted friend number, helpline number and he should follow these useful steps after the crisis, as they appear to reduce the risk of repetition.