Warning Signs that a Loved One May Have Suicidal Tendencies
Suicide exists as one of those topics that continue to fly under the radar in spite of its occurrence in increasing numbers every year. Suicide affects people of all ages, genders and socioeconomic groups and oftentimes happens in the lives of those you’d least suspect.
With modern-day society’s fast-paced lifestyles and ever-increasing pressures, what may well be a temporary problem in a person’s life can seem like an insurmountable obstacle in the midst of everything else. For these reasons, it’s important to be able to identify warning signs before things spin out of control. Knowing how to spot warning signs of suicide in a loved one can go a long way towards helping ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of your family and loved ones.
Suicide Statistics
As of 2013, suicide events rank as the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Other statistics involving suicide are as follows:
In 2013 – 41,149 suicides occurred, which equals out to 113 suicides per day or one every 13 minutes
2013 – 9.3 million adults reported having thoughts of suicide within the previous year
2013 – Adults ages 18 to 25 made up the majority of those considering suicide followed by 26 to 49 year olds and those 50 and over
In 2010 – substance abuse contributed to 77.2 percent of all completed suicides
Warning Signs of Suicidal Tendencies
While suicide affects all different types of people, certain symptoms or signs tend to carry over across the board. Signs to watch out for include:
Being overwhelmed by emotional pain is common for someone with suicidal tendencies.
Talk of being a burden to others
Reckless behavior
High anxiety levels and/or agitation
Talk of having no reason to live
Withdrawing from others
Extreme mood swings
Excess alcohol/drug use
Talk of feeling “trapped”
Talk of feeling overwhelmed by emotional pain
Sleeping too much or not sleeping enough
Talk of wanting to die or expressing plans to kill oneself
Call our helpline at 888-646-0635Who Answers? to see if your insurance will help pay your treatment costs.
Risk Factors
Certain risk factors can make a person more to prone to suicidal tendencies. According to the National Institutes on Mental Health, risk factors can be circumstantial, family-related or hinge on a person’s physical/psychological health condition. Risk factors to consider include:
Being exposed to suicidal-type behavior in others, especially loved ones and friends
Having a history of family violence
Past sexual abuse
Having attempted suicide in the past
Being in prison
Mental health problems, such as depression and bipolar disorder
Substance abuse problems
Having access to firearms
Family history of suicide
Protective Factors
While risk factors increase the likelihood a person will follow through on suicidal tendencies, protective factors have the opposite effect in terms of lessening the degree of duress a person experiences. Protective factors have to do with ensuring a person has ready access to needed treatment services; services which ultimately help in developing the types of coping skills that can carry him or her through difficult life periods. In effect, the more protective factors a person has the better off he or she will be in the long run.
If you suspect you or someone you know may be showing warning signs of suicide and have more questions, or need help finding treatment services, please feel free to call our toll-free helpline at 888-646-0635Who Answers? to speak with one of addictions specialists.
For those individuals who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend a rehabilitation center for drug addiction, there are facilities that provide low-cost treatment. Some centers even provide free rehab to certain individuals who qualify based on low income and other factors. Bud do these facilities provide good treatment? We can help you….
Recovery is “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential”, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Establishing a new “normal” to daily routines, avoiding high-risk situations that could lead to relapse, and staying motivated in….
Much like any other addictive drug, sooner or later marijuana users start to notice the effects of the drug in their lives. For many long-time users, attempts to stop using have been met with failure and frustration. Once a person loses the ability to stop using on his or her own, the drug has essentially….
Close relationships expose partners to the very best and the very worst that each has to offer. While the occasional argument or disagreement can be expected within any ongoing relationship, abusive behavior towards another develops out of a misuse of power and control. Domestic violence operates within a fear-based relationship structure that can be physical,….
When you’re addicted to drugs nothing else matters except finding the next fix, the next high or the next pill. When you realize that you are addicted and you want to get well, chances are you are so unfamiliar with the steps of drug recovery that the entire process may be overwhelming and you may….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, it is always good to have a support network while you go through withdrawal. Although every individual is different, there are some common reasons why you do not want to go through withdrawal alone. 1. Everything is Harder on Your Own Although it might not always seem….
Of all the known addictive substances, alcohol remains the most accepted in terms of the place it holds within American society’s customs and norms. For many struggling with alcohol abuse problems, what started out as a casual, commonplace indulgence morphed into an out-of-control behavior that slowly took over their lives. The type of help available….
Addiction to drugs or alcohol can cause widespread problems for the user, but also for the family members who love the individual. The addiction quickly spirals out of control and what was once considered a loved one’s problem, is now very much your problem too. For families who have seemingly tried everything to get their….
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addiction is a trap that many teens and young adults face. Unfortunately, with rising rates of drug use among teens and college students, it is a trap that you might have fallen into. It is difficult to know where to turn when you realize that you….
The process of recovery for an addict can be a very complicated process. Thankfully, the use cognitive behavioral therapy has begun to rise and with it, an increase in long-term sobriety. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help with addiction recovery through many ways. What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (or CBT) is a form….