Signs of being suicidal (could your friend be contemplating suicide?)

[Inmate]

I will give you one or two I can think of.

1. Returning prized/treasured possessions

2. Talking about ways of offing oneself

3. Cliche but sometimes this is spot-on: changing one's look a certain way. Some examples: dying hair, sudden change in style (wearing darker clothes; avoiding bright colors), not wearing make-up anymore

4. Sudden kindness; always smiling randomly and not getting angry when they're suppose to

5. Openness about social issues. Discussing death-related issues

5 is more coming straight from me while 1 - 4 I heard of either from friends or books or TV programmes I watched. You could be close to someone displaying these signs and you might be ignoring them, who knows? I know I'd be guilty if someone died and I was perfectly aware these signs were written on their faces. I'm not implying every girl that dyes their hair blonde hair black has fallen into this category. But it would be wise if you paid more attention to people around you, and acted accordingly if you became aware

 

[Оdin]

1. False. Most likely returning cheap shit that's been replaced by something better.
2. False. Writing a gore book.
3. False. Mainstream society would be considered suicidal.
4. False. Probably got *** the night before.
5. False. SJWs.

 

[Marin]

A few months ago I was all those (except 3) which is scary since I wasn't really aware that I have this intention! Things are better now so hopefully I don't try to off myself anytime soon haha

 

[Inmate]

1. False. Most likely returning cheap shit that's been replaced by something better.
2. False. Writing a gore book.
3. False. Mainstream society would be considered suicidal.
4. False. Probably got *** the night before.
5. False. SJWs.

Read the comment above

 

[Form]

Sign that someone ws suicidal

1. They killed themself.

There's no 'carved in stone' signs for it. Even if those were true, people dying their hair/acting kind is such a common trait, especially the latter nowadays. Not getting angry qhen they are supposed to? How would we know when someone should be angry?. As for #2 that's like taking someone seriously when they say they are going to kill someone. #5 you already said yourself was more.coming from you, though it seems to be the case for the other 4 as well.

 

[Оdin]

Read the comment above

I personally knew someone who was suicidal who didn't show any of the signs you mentioned. She actually looked and acted like a "normal" person.

 

[Inmate]

Sign that someone ws suicidal

1. They killed themself.

There's no 'carved in stone' signs for it. Even if those were true, people dying their hair/acting kind is such a common trait, especially the latter nowadays. Not getting angry qhen they are supposed to? How would we know when someone should be angry?. As for #2 that's like taking someone seriously when they say they are going to kill someone. #5 you already said yourself was more.coming from you, though it seems to be the case for the other 4 as well.

It seems you've assessed me well. 4 is my opinion too.

Are you implying one should just wait till they're dead to know they were displaying signs of being suicidal? I don't know, but there are quite ways to tell that your friend might be contemplating hurting themselves. Sometimes they could be doing it for other reasons. Maybe they could be simply dying their hair because they felt it was becoming a bore. But what if there are too many layers of signs hanging above their head?

 

[Inmate]

I personally knew someone who was suicidal who didn't show any of the signs you mentioned. She actually looked and acted like a "normal" person.

Was she a perfectionist? Maybe you weren't close enough. If she was your friend and didn't just know her, I presume you would have pinpointed some of the signs

 

[Nobel]

Signs?, humans are far too individual to be analyzed in such ways. If you really want to inspect Suicidal behavior then openly confront the subject before it's too late.

 

[Inmate]

Signs?, humans are far too individual to be analyzed in such ways. If you really want to inspect Suicidal behavior then openly confront the subject before it's too late.

You have to be at the very least "suspicious" to decide to confront the subject.

Such requires knowing the signs.

But you're not wrong, as someone has said, one can be suicidal and still act normal.

But let's be honest, you can't think of offing yourself and still act "completely'" normal. There's always something that's going to give it away. You may not come to the conclusion they're suicidal but you'll sense it that they're not okay.

 

[Sagebee]

I don't think there's ever clear signs someone is suicidal unless you catch them in the act the most you could tell is that they are depressed the best thing you can do is be best to people at all times because you never know what they are going through I've had family and friends that's tried to commit suicide

 

[Nobel]

You have to be at the very least "suspicious" to decide to confront the subject.

Such requires knowing the signs.

But you're not wrong, as someone has said, one can be suicidal and still act normal.

But let's be honest, you can't think of offing yourself and still act "completely'" normal. There's always something that's going to give it away. You may not come to the conclusion they're suicidal but you'll sense it that they're not okay.

Captain Sherlock, The only point of this confrontation is to justify those suspicious thoughts, defining a normal human behavior is impossible because that's only a personal view. If you lack courage then confront the nearest relatives or someone associated to the subject, if you really are up to the task.

 

[The Work]

I always joke about getting hit by a car.

But that's because I want free tuition.

 

[Callypigia]

Suicidal warning signs definitely do not fall under a "one size fits all" criteria. Most successful suicides are unexpected, impulsive, and unplanned. In that regard it is difficult to predict. I will give a list of personal examples from my practice:

1. Desperation - I've had multiple suicides occur when the patient feels there is no other alternative. Many times I've seen this occur in adults who do not wish to return to jail, or feel that their substance abuse recovery is impossible. Other examples have been loss of job, marriages, children. Assess for hopelessness/helplessness and often times increased alcohol/drug use.

2. Impulsivity - Many completed suicides I've run across have been impulsive, unplanned, and sometimes unintentional. They typically involve alcohol/drugs with a pattern of erratic behavior. Assess for significant life changes with increase impulsive behavior.

3. Detoxification/Substance withdrawal - Many addicts will kill themselves in an act of desperation when detoxing from drugs/alcohol. It may exacerbated by significant losses in their life due to their addiction, guilt, avoidance of prison, delirium caused by withdrawal, or significant emotional/physical pain. If you know someone trying to detox themselves I would recommend helping get them into a local detox clinic. Withdrawal from Benzodiazapines and Alcohol can be fatal if not medically managed.

4. Chronic physical pain/terminal illness - If there is no hope in sight, and the reminder of their life will be filled with physical suffering, suicide is often an option.

5. Past behavior - Past behavior is a strong indicator of future behavior. I had a patient who cut his wrists and was released from psychiatric hospital. Two weeks later he tried to cut his throat, was hospitalized, and released a few days later. The third week he shot himself with a gun and completed. Do not dismiss past suicide attempts as purely attention seeking.

6. Personality Disorders - Some personality disorders such as Borderline Personality Disorders engage in suicidal gestures and attention seeking behaviors. Over 20% eventually complete suicide. Often dismissing their attempts as merely "attention seeking" will cause them to up-the-ante.

7. They tell you they are suicidal - Assess for plan, intention, and means to achieve their plan. Some people are too depressed to kill themselves, but as they start to feel a little better, they may attempt. Even if they do not have intention in that moment, they may become more hopeless and impulsive if they begin to use drugs/alcohol. Alcohol lowers inhibition. It is better to address their depression at that time before things worsen. You may need to contact 911, emergency numbers, 24/7 mental health agency, or take them to a local emergency room.

Most of these overlap on top of each other for a reason.

 

[Marin]

Suicidal warning signs definitely do not fall under a "one size fits all" criteria. Most successful suicides are unexpected, impulsive, and unplanned. In that regard it is difficult to predict. I will give a list of personal examples from my practice:

1. Desperation - I've had multiple suicides occur when the patient feels there is no other alternative. Many times I've seen this occur in adults who do not wish to return to jail, or feel that their substance abuse recovery is impossible. Other examples have been loss of job, marriages, children. Assess for hopelessness/helplessness and often times increased alcohol/drug use.

2. Impulsivity - Many completed suicides I've run across have been impulsive, unplanned, and sometimes unintentional. They typically involve alcohol/drugs with a pattern of erratic behavior. Assess for significant life changes with increase impulsive behavior.

3. Detoxification/Substance withdrawal - Many addicts will kill themselves in an act of desperation when detoxing from drugs/alcohol. It may exacerbated by significant losses in their life due to their addiction, guilt, avoidance of prison, delirium caused by withdrawal, or significant emotional/physical pain. If you know someone trying to detox themselves I would recommend helping get them into a local detox clinic. Withdrawal from Benzodiazapines and Alcohol can be fatal if not medically managed.

4. Chronic physical pain/terminal illness - If there is no hope in sight, and the reminder of their life will be filled with physical suffering, suicide is often an option.

5. Past behavior - Past behavior is a strong indicator of future behavior. I had a patient who cut his wrists and was released from psychiatric hospital. Two weeks later he tried to cut his throat, was hospitalized, and released a few days later. The third week he shot himself with a gun and completed. Do not dismiss past suicide attempts as purely attention seeking.

6. Personality Disorders - Some personality disorders such as Borderline Personality Disorders engage in suicidal gestures and attention seeking behaviors. Over 20% eventually complete suicide. Often dismissing their attempts as merely "attention seeking" will cause them to up-the-ante.

7. They tell you they are suicidal - Assess for plan, intention, and means to achieve their plan. Some people are too depressed to kill themselves, but as they start to feel a little better, they may attempt. Even if they do not have intention in that moment, they may become more hopeless and impulsive if they begin to use drugs/alcohol. Alcohol lowers inhibition. It is better to address their depression at that time before things worsen. You may need to contact 911, emergency numbers, 24/7 mental health agency, or take them to a local emergency room.

Most of these overlap on top of each other for a reason.

So, do the 4 symptoms I had mean I'm gonna kill myself

 

[Callypigia]

So, do the 4 symptoms I had mean I'm gonna kill myself

The fact that you said "had" would imply past tense, so you're probably fine if you haven't already died. Unless you mean past as in the very recent past. Even then, not necessarily. If you have 4 of those symptoms you might want to be mindful about your own mental health. You could look at treatment options that would benefit you, or at least help minimize symptom relapse. It also depends on what the four symptoms are I suppose.

 

[Marin]

The fact that you said "had" would imply past tense, so you're probably fine if you haven't already died. Unless you mean past as in the very recent past. Even then, not necessarily. If you have 4 of those symptoms you might want to be mindful about your own mental health. You could look at treatment options that would benefit you, or at least help minimize symptom relapse. It also depends on what the four symptoms are I suppose.

@bold: Well, I'm hungry so I guess I'm not dead yet XD