How to stop suicidal thoughts

All of us at some point have a fleeting thought of ending our own life, but it remains just a fleeting thought we never bring up again, or not nearly as often, and we do not entertain any ideas of acting upon such thoughts.

But, if your suicidal thoughts become way too frequent, intense, overwhelming, then you, by no means, should go through that alone.

Aside from surrounding yourself with people, you should seek medical attention, in order to discern the causes of such feelings, have a talk with your doctor, and determine whether your thoughts are a result of some medical issue, or mental issue.

In any way, the doctor should be able to give you the best directions. For more information, visit this page.

Suicidal thoughts are a result of terrible feelings of hopelessness, depression, desolation, and, seeing as how they’re feelings, you want to replace them with a feeling that is good.

But ending your own life will not result in that good feeling. For a person to feel something, whether good or bad, means that they need to be alive to be able to feel it.

When you die, you feel nothing; there is no relief whatsoever that you can even feel. Consider that for a moment.

You should visit this page for more reasons suicide is not a solution for neither you nor anybody else.

Avoid things that make you sad and depressed. Avoid sad music, sad movies, remembering bad things; avoid toxic people, avoid things that make you irritated. Avoid all things that you associate with bad events in your life.

Identify triggers or situations that lead to feelings of despair or make you think of suicide, such as an anniversary of a loss, alcohol, or stress from relationships.

Find healthy ways to keep your stress levels in check, including exercising, meditating, practicing some breathing exercises, and similar things.

Gather around yourself people you trust and who care about you. Talk to them about how you are feeling. If it is difficult for you to talk about such things, then try expressing yourself in written form. Never stay alone during the period of suicidal crisis.

Even though some of them might not understand you at first, try again with other people. Not all people are able to empathize with others, but that shouldn't discourage you from seeking other people to have conversation with.

Write a schedule for yourself every day and stick to it, by all means. Keep up with it as much as possible, even when your feelings seem out of control.

Eat regularly, sleep regularly. Do not disturb your regular routine. It is important to maintain your body and keep it healthy.

Think of things that make you happy. Think of the places that make you happy, of situations; watch a movie that you like; listen to the music that you like.

Remember your personal goals and write them down. They can be anything, ranging from things you always wanted to do, like a hobby, or something more meaningful, like traveling to a certain place or completing your education. However, don’t make them be too demanding. They need to cheer you up and show you that there is plenty of stuff you should and will do in the future.

Drugs and alcohol can increase depression, decrease your problem-solving ability, and can make you act on your current thoughts.

These are some of the situations why a person might feel suicidal. If you suspect the person you know is going through any of these, pay extra attention.

1. Death or a terminal illness of a loved person.
2. Their own news on their health condition; terminal illness.
3. Broken relationships, divorce.
4. Financial difficulties; loss of their home, job, etc.
5. Drug and alcohol abuse.
6. Depression that suddenly vanishes, and in the elderly, melancholy that can incorrectly be ascribed to their aging process.

Once you have established that the person in question indeed has suicidal thoughts and tendencies, please refer to our solutions here.

By no means tell them anything that can put their life in jeopardy, like things listed below:

1. Don’t belittle them for their problems, since what is to you or others a minor problem, to them it can be big and overwhelming. Their coping mechanism cannot handle  something that others' might.
2. Don’t tell them that suicide is selfish or sinful; don’t judge them.
3. Don’t tell them phrases such as ‘you don’t mean that’; ‘you will go to hell for it’, and similar things.

If it is urgent, if you are on the verge of doing something to yourself, or you simply want to talk about your thoughts (especially if they become overwhelming), call your local emergency hotline, or an ambulance, and talk to them, because they are professionals and can hear you out and help you.

Develop new activities and interests. Find new hobbies, or work that gives you a sense of meaning and purpose. When you’re doing things you find fulfilling, you’ll feel better about yourself.

If you suspect a person you know is thinking about suicide, check the following list of warning signs, you might find some in that person's behavior:

1. Saying goodbye to people all of a sudden.
2. Writing a will.
3. Giving away their favorite possessions.
4. Behaving recklessly, for instance, recklessly driving.
5. Being suddenly withdrawn, irritated, nervous.
6. Their depression has suddenly vanished and they are being energetic all of a sudden.
7. They are developing a suicidal plan, and/or they provided the means of doing it, or are in the process of providing.
8. They have already attempted suicide.
9. They have self-inflicted wounds.

Once you have established that the person in question indeed has suicidal thoughts and tendencies, please refer to our solutions here.

If you think that the person you know is feeling and/or behaving in the ways listed below, they might be having thoughts of suicide:

1. Sudden decline in school or work performance or vice versa.
2. Decline in the activities the person used to enjoy, also declining sex drive.
3. Poor management of self; self-starvation, neglecting of personal hygiene.
4. Difficult times such as holidays, anniversaries; the first week after a discharge from the hospital is also very crucial.
5. Overwhelming feeling of loneliness, worthlessness, hopelessness, guilt, shame; fear that nobody cares; this means that said person’s coping mechanisms are incapacitated and he or she cannot deal with the problems at hand; they think things will never get better, only worse; they have exhausted all their resources in handling pain.

Once you have established that the person in question indeed has suicidal thoughts and tendencies, please refer to our solutions here.

If you are facing with a person who has suicidal thoughts, you should be as supportive and understanding as possible, and make sure you follow the adivce listed below:

1. Be with them at all times during their crisis.
2. Be a good listener and let them to talk as much as they want about their problems and thoughts of suicide.
3. Seek professional help with them; stay with them throughout everything.
4. Offer hope and reassure them.
5. Show them that you care. If you notice they act strangely, ask about the nature of such behavior, ask them when such feelings and thoughts have first started, ask if there is anything you could do for them.
6. Tell them to endure as much as possible, when they are feeling they could kill themselves any minute; tell them to postpone it by a day, by a week, by a month, until they feel differently and see that they can actually manage their problems and carry on living.

Exercise as much as your body allows you. Body movement is beneficial for getting rid of negative thoughts, and is, in general, beneficial for your body.

Visit these pages. They give plenty of information and reassurance. They might help you understand your own feelings, offer some advice and ways you could cope with your current state:

1. This page.
2. This page.