How to Overcome Suicidal Thoughts 

A person either has active or passive ideation behind suicide. In active ideation, a person intends and plans; in passive ideation, a person has the intent but no plans to commit. It can be a symptom of Depression, Bipolar or any other underlying psychiatric severe illness. A person may isolate themselves, feel anxious, have excessive substance abuse, feel hopeless, extremely restless, angry, agitated, and talk about death or tried something in the past. People have such thoughts due to relationships, family or work-related issues, past trauma, substance abuse, financial difficulties, or physical or mental health concerns such as depression, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, Etc. Individuals with suicidal thoughts should understand that it is pretty standard for you to have such ideas now and then. It is not a character defect or something that makes you crazy or weak. It just states that the amount of stress or pain you have is more than in hand. Even though the suffering may appear overwhelming and permanent, you can relieve emotional stress with time and support, and the negative feelings will pass. People sometimes feel that their misery or unhappiness will never end, but it is essential to realize that crises are usually temporary. There are various measures that you can keep in mind to protect yourself from ending up doing something wrong:

Don’t Worry About the Perception

The first step you can take towards the prevention of suicides is by actually talking about it. You may be afraid to bring up the subject of suicide, fearing that you’ll be judged or criticized. But you need to talk about suicide and open the doors of communication to get help for your suffering. You need to understand that you are not alone. You can depend on your friends and family to support you in the hard times.

Understand the Warning Signs

There are many warning signs of suicide that you can look out for when you doubt you are in trouble. Common signs such as feeling trapped, hopeless, isolated and perceiving oneself as a burden, along with abnormal eating and sleeping patterns, can be early onsets of suicidal ideations. By getting to know these warning signs, you can be more aware, ask for help, and deal with them accordingly.

Ask for Family Support

Get family and friends’ support, talk to them about how you feel, and ask for professional help if required. Family and friends should even attend sessions with you. Avoiding isolation and staying connected to the outside World as much as possible is required. People need to develop an optimistic attitude, like focusing on the good things they have or seeking something that pleases them.

Speak Up/Be Expressive

It is essential to understand the importance of calling a suicide prevention helpline or someone close to you. Whenever you feel such thoughts are bothering you, raise your voice and share your feelings – by attending a self-help or support group, where you can discuss issues with people who understand. Be as expressive as possible so others can help you during your crucial stage.

Avoid Drugs

Avoiding alcohol and drugs can help to curb suicide. Alcohol makes people act more impulsively. Previous suicidal thoughts may evolve into action with the use of alcohol. Alcohol/substance abusers are much more likely to commit suicide, as alcohol/drug inhibits the ability to reason, as intoxicated people do not fully realize the consequences.

Focus on Physical Health

Engaging in some exercise can be very beneficial. Additionally, ensure that you maintain a well-balanced and healthy diet. Make it a point to get at least 7-8 hours of continuous sleep every 24 hours. Also, try relaxation or meditation techniques early in the morning. A walk or jogging can be of great help, and if a person does some physical activity, that would be great.

Lifestyle Changes

Lifestyle changes can be of great help in suicidal ideation. Sleep management, healthy eating habits, stress management, spending time on hobbies and personal interests, and relaxation techniques improve thoughts and mood; in return, a person feels optimistic and can restructure the negative thoughts related to self-harm. 

Psychologist

There is a need to seek help from a professional psychologist if you have suicidal ideation and nobody around you seems to be of any use. You can talk with the psychologist face to face or telephonically in case of urgency. The psychologist will aid you in finding better ways to manage a stressful situation and achieve your goals with a new perspective. 

Psychiatrist

In extreme or urgent cases, you can seek medication help. You can visit a Psychiatrist who can prescribe you specific medication to deal with the underlying issues. The list of anti-depressants, anti-anxiety and anti-psychotic drugs they can specify which can be of great help to deal with suicidal ideation. 

Family Therapy

They involve family members in the therapy, understand their perspective, and educate them about the problems to improve the family dynamics. 

P.S.:- Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Give yourself the time to deal efficiently and for the pain to subside. People are unable to deal with emotional hurt or loss; that’s why people mostly do self-harm by taking their lives. As a psychologist/counsellor, Dr Nisha Khanna provides online, telephone, and face-to-face counselling services. If you live in Delhi, India or any other part of the World, you can approach us through any of these mediums. For further details, visit Bye Tense or call us at +91-9818211474