SUICIDAL THOUGHTS

Thought of suicide should always be taken seriously. While many people report having had fleeting thoughts of killing themselves or curiosity about how others would fare without them, if you have serious thoughts of suicide it is very important to tell a trusted friend or relative and a mental health professional should be consulted as soon as possible.

Usually, suicidal thoughts are part of a depressive disorder, but they are also experienced when people are struggling with issues of personal identity, personality or psychotic disorders and substance abuse. While the connection between suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts is unclear, it is important to realize that anyone expressing these thoughts should be evaluated by a mental health professional. Of special concern are teenagers for whom suicide is one of the leading causes of death. Another important concern is older men who are thinking about suicide. Older men are more likely to use firearms, and are therefore more likely to complete the act.

If you are feeling suicidal, it is important to distinguish between wanting out of your current situation and wanting to be dead. A study which interviewed people who tried suicide by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco discovered that, among survivors, the first thought they had after stepping off the bridge was a wish that they had not attempted to kill themselves.

Suicidal ideation, like most human experiences, is temporary, so if you can "ride it out" without acting on it, and get help, things will change. Another important fact about suicide is that no matter what means you use, people frequently survive and have to live out the rest of their days with some type of disability. Your body has an amazing capacity for survival. It is also important to realize the impact suicide will have on those around you. The effect suicide has is to take away one person, filled with rage and sadness, and leave many others filled with rage and sadness.

The good news--is that counseling is very effective at eliminating suicidal thoughts and giving you a place to comfortably discuss your feelings such that suicide seems like brain surgery for a tension headache. You will see hope again. The storm will pass and your Free Spirit will again shine.