People with suicidal thoughts think about dying. Suicidal ideation can be passive or active. Passive suicidal ideation takes place when a person wishes they were dead or that they could die without planning to take their own life. Meanwhile, active suicidal ideation is when a person thinks about taking their own life and planning how exactly to do it.
Suicidal ideation is quite common. Studies show that millions of people in the U. S. reported thinking about suicide and some of them attempted it. These people can benefit from st. petersburg suicidal ideation support and treatment.
What are Suicidal Thoughts?
Suicidal thoughts can be passing thoughts on death or planning about suicide like planning about when and how to die. Passing suicidal thoughts can worsen when not addressed. So, if you are dealing with these thoughts, you should seek help. This is particularly important if you feel disconnected from other people, feel trapped in a situation you cannot tolerate, think, post, or talk online about violence or death, or feel like you are a burden to others.
It is important to keep in mind that wishing you could die in an accident or your sleep is as serious as wanting to take your own life. Passive suicidal ideation can turn active. Also, remember that suicidal thoughts tend to fluctuate, which means they can be persistent, intense, or specific one day and may be unclear the next day. But you must not take suicidal thoughts lightly. You must seek out support even if you think your condition has improved.
Common Causes of Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation can result from different factors. It usually occurs when you feel hopeless and that you have no control over your life. Such feelings may result from circumstances such as trauma, relationship issues, a crisis, substance use, work-related pressure, financial difficulties, and physical health problems. Also, suicidal ideation can develop due to mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
Treatment for Suicidal Ideation
The following are often recommended for people with suicidal thoughts without crisis.
- Psychotherapy. During your treatment, you will speak with a therapist as you explore the reasons you are having suicidal thoughts and how to deal with them.
- Substance use disorder treatment. Your therapist may include this treatment if you dealing with an increased use of alcohol or drugs.
- Family therapy and education. This treatment involves your family members, aiming to help you better understand what you are dealing with, learn the signs of suicidal ideation, and improve family dynamics.
- Medications. Your therapist may prescribe medications to treat underlying depression that causes your suicidal ideation.
