BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSuicide and suicidal behaviorDepression - suicide; Bipolar -suicideSuicide is the act of taking one's own life on purpose. Suicidal behavior is any action that could cause a person to die, such as taking a drug overdose or crashing a car on purpose. Causes Suicide and suicidal behaviors usually occur in people with one or more of the following:Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorderBipolar disorder is a mental condition in which a person has wide or extreme swings in their mood. Periods of feeling sad and depressed may alternat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Borderline personality disorder Borderline personality disorderBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental condition in which a person has long-term patterns of unstable or turbulent emotions. These inner ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Depression DepressionDepression is feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or down in the dumps. Most people feel this way once in a while. Major depression is a mood disorder. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Drug or alcohol use DrugSubstance use disorder occurs when a person's use of alcohol or another substance (drug) leads to health issues or problems at work, school, or home....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article AlcoholAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It can occur after you have gone through an extreme emotional trauma that invol...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Schizophrenia SchizophreniaSchizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard to tell the difference between what is real and not real. It also makes it hard to think clearl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article History of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse Stressful life issues, such as serious financial or relationship problems Diagnosis of a terminal illnessPeople who try to take their own life are often trying to get away from a situation that seems impossible to deal with. Many who attempt suicide are seeking relief from:Feeling ashamed, guilty, or like a burden to others Feeling like a victim Feelings of rejection, loss, or lonelinessSuicidal behaviors may occur when there is a situation or event that the person finds overwhelming, such as:Aging (older people have the highest rate of suicide) Death of a loved one Drug or alcohol use Emotional trauma Serious physical illness or pain Unemployment or money problems Risk factors for suicide in teenagers include:Access to guns Family member who completed suicide History of hurting themselves on purpose History of being neglected or abused Living in communities where there have been recent outbreaks of suicide in young people Romantic breakupWhile men are more likely than women to die by suicide, women are twice as likely to attempt suicide.Most suicide attempts do not result in death. Many of these attempts are done in a way that makes rescue possible. These attempts are often a cry for help.Some people attempt suicide in a way that is less likely to be fatal, such as poisoning or overdose. Men are more likely to choose violent methods, such as shooting themselves. As a result, suicide attempts by men are more likely to result in death.Relatives of people who attempt or complete suicide often blame themselves or become very angry. They may see the suicide attempt as selfish. However, people who attempt suicide often mistakenly believe that they are doing their friends and relatives a favor by taking themselves out of the world. Symptoms Often, but not always, a person may show certain signs and behaviors before a suicide attempt, such as:Having trouble concentrating or thinking clearly Giving away belongings Talking about going away or the need to "get my affairs in order" Suddenly changing behavior, especially calmness after a period of anxiety Losing interest in activities they used to enjoy Self-destructive behaviors, such as heavily drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs, or cutting their body Pulling away from friends or not wanting to go out Suddenly having trouble in school or work Talking about death or suicide, or even saying that they want to hurt themselves Talking about feeling hopeless or guilty Changing sleep or eating habits Arranging ways to take their own life (such as buying a gun or many pills) Treatment People who are at risk of suicidal behavior may not seek treatment for many reasons, including:They believe nothing will help. They do not want to tell anyone they have problems. They think asking for help is a sign of weakness. They do not know where to go for help. They believe their loved ones would be better off without them.A person may need emergency treatment after a suicide attempt. They may need first aid, CPR, or more intensive treatments.People who try to take their own life may need to stay in a hospital for treatment and to reduce the risk of future attempts. Therapy is one of the most important parts of treatment.Any mental health disorder that may have led to the suicide attempt should be evaluated and treated. This includes: Bipolar disorder Borderline personality disorder Drug or alcohol dependence Major depression Schizophrenia Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Always take suicide attempts and threats seriously. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.Call 911 or the local emergency number right away if someone you know has attempted suicide. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help. Support Groups More information and support for people in crisis and their loved ones can be found at the:988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:Help and support for people in crisis: 988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now Help and support for loss survivors: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/loss-survivors/Veteran's Crisis Line: www.veteranscrisisline.net/American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org/get-help Outlook (Prognosis) About 10% to 20% of people who make threats or try to take their own life will eventually kill themselves. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact a health care provider right away if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide. The person needs mental health care right away. DO NOT dismiss the person as just trying to get attention. Prevention Avoiding alcohol and drugs (other than prescribed medicines) can reduce the risk of suicide.In homes with children or teenagers:Keep all prescription medicines high up and locked. Do not keep alcohol in the home, or keep it locked up. Do not keep guns in the home. If you do keep guns in the home, lock them and keep the bullets separate. In older adults, further investigate feelings of hopelessness, being a burden, and not belonging.Many people who try to take their own life talk about it before making the attempt. Sometimes, just talking to someone who cares and who does not judge them is enough to reduce the risk of suicide.However, if you are a friend, family member, or you know someone who you think may attempt suicide, never try to manage the problem on your own. Seek help. Suicide prevention centers have telephone "hotline" services.Never ignore a suicide threat or attempted suicide.Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican Psychiatric Association. Other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2022:chap 22.Brendel RW, Koh KA, Perlis RH, Stern TA. Care of the suicidal patient. In: Stern TA, Freudenreich O, Smith FA, Fricchione GL, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of General Hospital Psychiatry. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 44.DeMaso DR, Walter HJ. Suicide and attempted suicide. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum, NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 40.AllVideoImagesTogDepression in children - illustration Children who are depressed may exhibit symptoms differently than adults. For instance, a depressed child may seem bored and unusually irritable.Depression in childrenillustrationDepression among the elderly - illustration The elderly are at high risk for depression because they are more likely than younger people to have experienced illness, death of loved ones, impaired function and loss of independence. The cumulative effect of negative life experiences may be overwhelming to an older person.Depression among the elderlyillustrationDepression in children - illustration Children who are depressed may exhibit symptoms differently than adults. For instance, a depressed child may seem bored and unusually irritable.Depression in childrenillustrationDepression among the elderly - illustration The elderly are at high risk for depression because they are more likely than younger people to have experienced illness, death of loved ones, impaired function and loss of independence. The cumulative effect of negative life experiences may be overwhelming to an older person.Depression among the elderlyillustrationSelf Care Helping your teen with depressionRelated Information Review Date: 5/10/2023 Reviewed By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Suicide and suicidal behaviorDepression - suicide; Bipolar -suicideSuicide is the act of taking one's own life on purpose. Suicidal behavior is any action that could cause a person to die, such as taking a drug overdose or crashing a car on purpose. Causes Suicide and suicidal behaviors usually occur in people with one or more of the following:Bipolar disorder Bipolar disorderBipolar disorder is a mental condition in which a person has wide or extreme swings in their mood. Periods of feeling sad and depressed may alternat...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Borderline personality disorder Borderline personality disorderBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental condition in which a person has long-term patterns of unstable or turbulent emotions. These inner ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Depression DepressionDepression is feeling sad, blue, unhappy, or down in the dumps. Most people feel this way once in a while. Major depression is a mood disorder. It...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Drug or alcohol use DrugSubstance use disorder occurs when a person's use of alcohol or another substance (drug) leads to health issues or problems at work, school, or home....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article AlcoholAlcohol use disorder is when your drinking causes serious problems in your life, yet you keep drinking. You may also need more and more alcohol to f...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) PTSDPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of anxiety disorder. It can occur after you have gone through an extreme emotional trauma that invol...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Schizophrenia SchizophreniaSchizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard to tell the difference between what is real and not real. It also makes it hard to think clearl...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article History of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse Stressful life issues, such as serious financial or relationship problems Diagnosis of a terminal illnessPeople who try to take their own life are often trying to get away from a situation that seems impossible to deal with. Many who attempt suicide are seeking relief from:Feeling ashamed, guilty, or like a burden to others Feeling like a victim Feelings of rejection, loss, or lonelinessSuicidal behaviors may occur when there is a situation or event that the person finds overwhelming, such as:Aging (older people have the highest rate of suicide) Death of a loved one Drug or alcohol use Emotional trauma Serious physical illness or pain Unemployment or money problems Risk factors for suicide in teenagers include:Access to guns Family member who completed suicide History of hurting themselves on purpose History of being neglected or abused Living in communities where there have been recent outbreaks of suicide in young people Romantic breakupWhile men are more likely than women to die by suicide, women are twice as likely to attempt suicide.Most suicide attempts do not result in death. Many of these attempts are done in a way that makes rescue possible. These attempts are often a cry for help.Some people attempt suicide in a way that is less likely to be fatal, such as poisoning or overdose. Men are more likely to choose violent methods, such as shooting themselves. As a result, suicide attempts by men are more likely to result in death.Relatives of people who attempt or complete suicide often blame themselves or become very angry. They may see the suicide attempt as selfish. However, people who attempt suicide often mistakenly believe that they are doing their friends and relatives a favor by taking themselves out of the world. Symptoms Often, but not always, a person may show certain signs and behaviors before a suicide attempt, such as:Having trouble concentrating or thinking clearly Giving away belongings Talking about going away or the need to "get my affairs in order" Suddenly changing behavior, especially calmness after a period of anxiety Losing interest in activities they used to enjoy Self-destructive behaviors, such as heavily drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs, or cutting their body Pulling away from friends or not wanting to go out Suddenly having trouble in school or work Talking about death or suicide, or even saying that they want to hurt themselves Talking about feeling hopeless or guilty Changing sleep or eating habits Arranging ways to take their own life (such as buying a gun or many pills) Treatment People who are at risk of suicidal behavior may not seek treatment for many reasons, including:They believe nothing will help. They do not want to tell anyone they have problems. They think asking for help is a sign of weakness. They do not know where to go for help. They believe their loved ones would be better off without them.A person may need emergency treatment after a suicide attempt. They may need first aid, CPR, or more intensive treatments.People who try to take their own life may need to stay in a hospital for treatment and to reduce the risk of future attempts. Therapy is one of the most important parts of treatment.Any mental health disorder that may have led to the suicide attempt should be evaluated and treated. This includes: Bipolar disorder Borderline personality disorder Drug or alcohol dependence Major depression Schizophrenia Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Always take suicide attempts and threats seriously. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. You can also call 1-800-273-8255 (1-800-273-TALK). The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free and confidential support 24/7, anytime day or night.You can also call 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room. DO NOT delay.Call 911 or the local emergency number right away if someone you know has attempted suicide. DO NOT leave the person alone, even after you have called for help. Support Groups More information and support for people in crisis and their loved ones can be found at the:988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:Help and support for people in crisis: 988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now Help and support for loss survivors: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/loss-survivors/Veteran's Crisis Line: www.veteranscrisisline.net/American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsp.org/get-help Outlook (Prognosis) About 10% to 20% of people who make threats or try to take their own life will eventually kill themselves. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact a health care provider right away if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide. The person needs mental health care right away. DO NOT dismiss the person as just trying to get attention. Prevention Avoiding alcohol and drugs (other than prescribed medicines) can reduce the risk of suicide.In homes with children or teenagers:Keep all prescription medicines high up and locked. Do not keep alcohol in the home, or keep it locked up. Do not keep guns in the home. If you do keep guns in the home, lock them and keep the bullets separate. In older adults, further investigate feelings of hopelessness, being a burden, and not belonging.Many people who try to take their own life talk about it before making the attempt. Sometimes, just talking to someone who cares and who does not judge them is enough to reduce the risk of suicide.However, if you are a friend, family member, or you know someone who you think may attempt suicide, never try to manage the problem on your own. Seek help. Suicide prevention centers have telephone "hotline" services.Never ignore a suicide threat or attempted suicide.Open ReferencesReferencesAmerican Psychiatric Association. Other conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 5th ed. Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2022:chap 22.Brendel RW, Koh KA, Perlis RH, Stern TA. Care of the suicidal patient. In: Stern TA, Freudenreich O, Smith FA, Fricchione GL, Rosenbaum JF, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of General Hospital Psychiatry. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 44.DeMaso DR, Walter HJ. Suicide and attempted suicide. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum, NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 40.