Suicidal behavior
Suicidal behavior includes suicide and attempted suicide. The thought, consideration, or planning of suicide is called suicidal ideation.
Diagnosis
Suicide, ending your own life, is a tragic reaction to stressful life situations; even more tragic because suicide can be prevented. If you are contemplating suicide or know someone who is experiencing suicidal feelings, learn to identify the warning signs of suicide and to call for professional help and treatment immediately. You can save a life; yours or someone else’s.
Sintomas
Warning signs of suicide or suicidal thoughts include the following:
- Talking about suicide, for example, with statements like “I’m going to kill myself,” “I wish I were dead,” or “I wish I hadn’t been born.”
- Obtain the means to take one’s own life, for example by buying a gun or stockpiling pills
- Isolating yourself from society and wanting to be alone
- Have mood swings, such as elation one day and deep unease the next
- Feeling trapped or hopeless because of a situation
- Increase drug or alcohol use
- Change normal routine, including eating and sleeping patterns
- Doing risky or self-destructive activities, such as using drugs or reckless driving
- Giving away belongings or putting personal affairs in order when there is no other logical explanation for doing so
- Say goodbye to people as if you will never see them again
- Have personality changes or feel extremely anxious or agitated, especially when you have any of the warning signs listed above