Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRisk FactorsWarning SignsTreatmentManagement & PreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Risk Factors
Warning Signs
Treatment
Management & Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
Suicide ideation are thoughts, ideas, wishes, considerations, contemplations, or preoccupations relating to death and suicide.It is sometimes referred to as suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideas.
Suicideis the second leading cause of death, after unintentional injury, among Americans under the age of 44.Over 5% of adults, and nearly 14% of adults between the ages of 18 and 25, have serious thoughts of suicide.
Suicide ideation is often connected to amajor depressive episode, but not always. It can also be linked to other mental health disorders, substance abuse, trauma, extended grief, or compromised health.
Suicide Prevention HotlineIf you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Justin Case / Getty Images
What Is Suicide?
While suicidal ideation is most often associated with depression or a major depressive episode, this is not always the case.People living with other mental health disorders, such as mood disorders, and even people withoutmental health disorders, can experience suicidal ideation. In addition, those with asubstance abuse disorder, chronic illness, or experiencing grief are also at an increased risk.
Friends and family members of people who have completed suicide are at an increased risk of suicidal ideation. Suicide contagion is when exposure to suicide or suicidal behavior in one’s social network, including friends, family members, and even media can result in increased thoughts of suicide, as well as suicide behaviors including attempts and deaths.
Geneticsmay play a role in the risk of suicidal ideation and suicidal behavior. Mental health conditions linked to suicidal ideation, such as depression, run in families, so people with a family history of mental illness are at an increased risk of experiencing suicidal ideation themselves.However, some things can help reduce the risks, and family history does not mean a person will have suicidal thoughts.
Suicidal Ideation Risk Factors
Risk factors that make someone more prone to experience suicidal ideation include:
Signs To Look Out ForSigns that indicate that someone may be experiencing suicidal ideation include:Extrememood swingsTalking or thinking about wanting to kill themselvesTalking or thinking about being a burden to othersSleeping excessively or not enoughChanges in eating habitsIsolation and withdrawalExtreme guilt or shameResearch related to death and ways to dieGifting important belongingsMaking a willExcessive risk taking, such as drinking and driving or using hard drugs
Signs To Look Out For
Signs that indicate that someone may be experiencing suicidal ideation include:Extrememood swingsTalking or thinking about wanting to kill themselvesTalking or thinking about being a burden to othersSleeping excessively or not enoughChanges in eating habitsIsolation and withdrawalExtreme guilt or shameResearch related to death and ways to dieGifting important belongingsMaking a willExcessive risk taking, such as drinking and driving or using hard drugs
Signs that indicate that someone may be experiencing suicidal ideation include:
Treating Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation can be treated with medications or psychotherapy (talk therapy). Medications and psychotherapy can be used together.Cognitive behavior therapy(CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) are the two most common types of psychotherapy used to prevent suicide.
Depending on the severity, medication and psychotherapy treatments may be provided through an appointment with a healthcare provider or at an in-patient facility such as a hospital or mental health facility.
Choosing the Right Therapist
A significant part of treating suicidal ideation is identifying and treating other mental health conditions that may occur with suicide ideation. For example, suicide ideation is more likely to occur in people living with schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Certain medications have been shown to decrease the risk of suicide. These include a medication called Clozaril (clozapine) that can be used to prevent suicide among people living with schizophrenia. Lithium, which is used in bipolar disorder, andantidepressants, can be used in people with depression. In some instances, people with suicidal ideation may need to be hospitalized for their safety until the underlying condition is adequately treated.
If you or a loved one are struggling with depression or suicidal ideation, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
In addition to psychotherapy and medications, there are other things that can be done to manage and prevent suicidal ideation and suicide. Many lifestyle behaviors impact suicide risk, including:
It can be helpful to focus on developing and strengthening relationships with friends and family or members of a support group, seek treatment for internet and substance addictions, and maintain a healthy lifestyle to reduce these risks.
Specific lifestyle changes may include eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, managing stress, andexercising. Activities such as yoga and meditation may also be helpful.
Summary
Suicidal ideation, sometimes referred to as suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideas, involves thoughts, ideas, wishes, considerations, contemplations, or preoccupations relating to death and suicide.People living with mental health conditions, substance misuse, extreme grief, and chronic illness are at an increased risk, but anyone can experience suicidal ideation.
A Word From Verywell
Suicidal ideation can be scary, both for the person experiencing the suicidal ideation and those around them, including family and friends. It is important to remember that suicidal ideation can be treated. If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide or death, seek help immediately. It is possible to recover from suicidal ideation and go on to live a healthy, happy life.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIf you are experiencing suicidal ideation, a doctor or mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or psychologist will do an in-depth evaluation of your mental and physical health to best determine what might be causing your suicidal ideation. The process may include a physical exam, a questionnaire, and a conversation with additional questions.Learn MoreWhat Is a Psychiatrist?An increase in suicidal ideation has been associated with several types of medications under certain rare circumstances. These include antidepressants and anticonvulsants.If you think someone may be having suicidal thoughts and in danger or in need of immediate help, stay with them and contact a qualified healthcare professional or call theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support.
If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, a doctor or mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or psychologist will do an in-depth evaluation of your mental and physical health to best determine what might be causing your suicidal ideation. The process may include a physical exam, a questionnaire, and a conversation with additional questions.Learn MoreWhat Is a Psychiatrist?
If you are experiencing suicidal ideation, a doctor or mental health professional such as a psychiatrist or psychologist will do an in-depth evaluation of your mental and physical health to best determine what might be causing your suicidal ideation. The process may include a physical exam, a questionnaire, and a conversation with additional questions.
Learn MoreWhat Is a Psychiatrist?
An increase in suicidal ideation has been associated with several types of medications under certain rare circumstances. These include antidepressants and anticonvulsants.
If you think someone may be having suicidal thoughts and in danger or in need of immediate help, stay with them and contact a qualified healthcare professional or call theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schreiber J, Culpepper L.Suicidal ideation. UpToDate.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Injuries and violence are leading causes of death.National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide.APA Dictionary of Psychology.Suicide.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.What does “suicide contagion” mean, and what can be done to prevent it?.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Can the risk for suicide be inherited?National Institute of Mental Health.Warning signs of suicide.American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Treatment.Berardelli I, Corigliano V, Hawkins M, Comparelli A, Erbuto D, Pompili M.Lifestyle interventions and prevention of suicide.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:567. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00567
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Schreiber J, Culpepper L.Suicidal ideation. UpToDate.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Injuries and violence are leading causes of death.National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide.APA Dictionary of Psychology.Suicide.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.What does “suicide contagion” mean, and what can be done to prevent it?.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Can the risk for suicide be inherited?National Institute of Mental Health.Warning signs of suicide.American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Treatment.Berardelli I, Corigliano V, Hawkins M, Comparelli A, Erbuto D, Pompili M.Lifestyle interventions and prevention of suicide.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:567. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00567
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Schreiber J, Culpepper L.Suicidal ideation. UpToDate.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Injuries and violence are leading causes of death.National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide.APA Dictionary of Psychology.Suicide.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.What does “suicide contagion” mean, and what can be done to prevent it?.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Can the risk for suicide be inherited?National Institute of Mental Health.Warning signs of suicide.American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Treatment.Berardelli I, Corigliano V, Hawkins M, Comparelli A, Erbuto D, Pompili M.Lifestyle interventions and prevention of suicide.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:567. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00567
Schreiber J, Culpepper L.Suicidal ideation. UpToDate.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Injuries and violence are leading causes of death.
National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide.
APA Dictionary of Psychology.Suicide.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.What does “suicide contagion” mean, and what can be done to prevent it?.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Can the risk for suicide be inherited?
National Institute of Mental Health.Warning signs of suicide.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Treatment.
Berardelli I, Corigliano V, Hawkins M, Comparelli A, Erbuto D, Pompili M.Lifestyle interventions and prevention of suicide.Front Psychiatry. 2018;9:567. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00567
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