Medicine Information

Signs of Suicide : Learn What They are and How to Deal with Them


The true numbers are probably much higher because many suicides are reported as accidents or illnesses. Suicides are usually the result of a complex combination of emotional, social, and biological factors. For that reason, learning about the warning signs of suicide can be difficult yet so important.

Warning Signs of Suicide:

Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness
Extreme withdrawal from friends, family, and usual activities
Talking about suicide or "ending it all"
Self-destructive or risk-taking behavior
Giving away favorite possessions
Sudden changes in mood or behavior
Increased use of alcohol or drugs
dentification with someone who has committed suicide
Preoccupation with thoughts of death
Previous suicide attempt(s)

How to Help Someone Showing Signs of Suicide

Know the warning signs!

Most suicidal people give clues about their feelings. Don't be afraid to ask someone you are worried about if he or she is thinking of taking his or her own life. You cannot make someone suicidal by asking a direct, caring question about the warning signs of suicide you may have identified. Tell your loved one that you are worried and give specific reasons why. Stress that he or she is very important to you and to other people. Encourage that person to get help through a psychiatrist, social worker, clergy member, or other mental health professionals.

How to Deal with Signs of Suicide:

Stay Calm. Don't overreact.

Express Concern. Take your friend or family member seriously. Explain why you are worried. Be specific.

Listen Attentively. Maintain eye contact.

Ask Direct Questions. It is important to find out if your friend has a specific plan for suicide.

Acknowledge Feelings. Do not be judgmental. Don't take it personally if you can't help your friend "cheer up".

Reassure. Stress that suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. Remind your friend that there is always hope, and things can and will get better.

Don't Promise Confidentiality. You may need to consult others, or talk to your friend's doctor about the signs of suicide you have identified.Take Action, Involve Others.

Don't attempt to handle this alone. Consult others who are trained to help and deal with warning signs of suicide.

Charles E. Donovan

Author

Out of the Black Hole: The Patient's Guide Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Depression

http://www.VagusNerveStimulator.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Analysis: Deficit spending is tough medicine
The Associated Press - 8 hours ago
WASHINGTON — It's a painful dilemma. The expected growth of the federal government budget deficit to $1.2 trillion this year could swamp future generations ...


New York Daily News

Scientologist Views On Medicine Questioned
CBS News, NY - 14 hours ago
"So I started having grand mal seizures," recalls Tory Christman, "and I wasn't even off the medicine. I was only off part of the medicine, and I started ...
Travolta's late son 'not victim of cult' Oneindia
Kawasaki’s disease, cleaning fluid, and cults Blogger News Network
Presley blasts critics for using Travolta tragedy to attack ... Thaindian.com
Popeater - p2pnet.net
all 617 news articles


Ten essential items for your medicine cabinet
Chicago Tribune, United States - 14 hours ago
For information about what to keep in a home first aid kit, go here. Coming tomorrow: 10 things to keep out of your medicine cabinet.


Cost containment focus could have consequences for health care ...
EurekAlert (press release), DC - 8 hours ago
"We believe that in the current environment, the balance has tipped toward market exchanges at the expense of medicine's communal or social dimensions. ...
Money and the Changing Culture of Medicine New England Journal of Medicine (subscription)
all 5 news articles


CBC.ca

Obama Wants CNN's Medicine Man to Be the US's Surgeon General!
PerezHilton.com, CA - 16 hours ago
CNN's medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, was supposedly offered the US surgeon general position by President-elect Barack Obama. ...
Video: CNN Correspondent Approached for Surgeon General AssociatedPress
Hotline After Dark -- Your Love Is Like Good Medicine National Journal
CNN's Medicine Man Tapped for Surgeon General? E! Online
Washington Post - Wall Street Journal Blogs
all 1,355 news articles


Khaleej Times

Early Elective C-Sections Produce Complications
U.S. News & World Report, DC - 8 hours ago
8 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Once a woman has had a Caesarean delivery, she and her doctor may decide to perform an "elective" C-section ...
Study: Setting early C-sections puts babies at risk Houston Chronicle
Early C-section for full-term babies poses risk Reuters
Early C-Sections Can Double Health Risks for Newborns Wall Street Journal Blogs
Newswise (press release) - al.com
all 209 news articles


SmartAboutHealth

A taste of Obama's own medicine
NephrOnline, AZ - 14 hours ago
By Thomas Keating Even before "The Transition" turns into the new regime, president-elect Barack Obama has already been fighting back against those who ...
Stay Healthy: Government Healthcare May Be Coming The New American
Replace for-profit insurance with Medicare for all Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
Obama's health care pledge may hurt Canada National Post
Capitalism Magazine - San Mateo County Times
all 111 news articles


ABC News

Jett Had History of Seizures, Medicine Ineffective
FOXNews - Jan 5, 2009
Jett Travolta, seen in this undated photo, died Friday in the Bahamas at the age of 16. Jett Travolta, seen in this undated photo, died Friday in the ...
Video: Travolta's Son Likely to Be Buried in Fla. AssociatedPress
Time to Audit Scientology's Anti-Medicine Stance Gawker
Jett Travolta’s Death, Medically Unclear eFluxMedia
The Associated Press - Oneindia
all 6,587 news articles


Research database from the US Library of Medicine
The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com, OH - 12 hours ago
Search PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, the CDC and a dozen other medical sites - all at once. AP MEDICAL VIDEO by Brie Zeltner/Plain Dealer Reporter Ohio had ...


Commentary: Equine Medicine Has Come a Long Way
TheHorse.com, KY - 8 hours ago
... be paid for in this challenging economy, keeping a horse healthy is light-years beyond where equine medicine and surgery were a quarter-century ago. ...

Medicine - Google News

home | site map
© 2006