Suicidal Thoughts. What To Do?

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

In a way, it's very easy to say that thoughts and feelings about suicide are "bad, not good." On the other hand, by stigmatizing these thoughts in this way, we run the risk of suppressing the expressions of the feelings of those who need help. And sometimes suppress your own feelings. Probably the most optimal type of perception of such thoughts and conversations is calmly neutral. How to think soberly in such a situation, and what to do when "it has come" - below.

The most important and most important thing that I am obliged to note here: if "it has arrived" - we ask for help. If even a joking thought of suicide flashed across it, this is a reason to tell about it to a person you trust, or a specialist (psychologist, psychotherapist, psychiatrist). It is imperative to speak, feel it out loud with someone safe. Who will not reject, will not devalue your feelings, but also with the one who will not be destroyed by them. I know that many people are not inclined to share their experiences with loved ones for fear of hurting them, scaring them greatly. It is very important in life to find those who will stand firmly on their feet, if you share your most intimate with them. If there are no such people yet - do not be afraid, please contact the specialists. This is normal, this is right, this is your life and health - the most valuable thing you have.

The context for suicidal thoughts can vary. And, although it sometimes seems to a person that he did not mean anything like that, it is very important to find out the reasons that prompted him to such thoughts and / or words. Unfortunately, there is an unspoken taboo in society about discussing the topic of death and everything connected with it. Young children are afraid to confront this issue almost more than with sex education. In people, this can give rise to an internal conflict: after all, society "shows the topic of death, but does not tell." Modern man is afraid to raise aloud the topic of death, which for some reason worries him, so we prefer to either not touch on this topic at all, or approach it from afar. For example, through discussion of books, films, biographies. One of the most controversial thoughts today: "talking about suicide increases the risk of suicide." Oh, what a dangerous thought it can be … By forbidding to raise the topic of suicide in general, we unwittingly run the risk of suppressing a lot of people who need a safe expression of their feelings.

Exactly. Feelings. Suicide is about total, deadly lack of expression of feelings, thoughts and emotions. Therefore, the first thing that is fundamentally important when thinking about suicide is to talk about them. I wrote about this above, but I will repeat myself, since this is important, very important. If these thoughts come to you, YOU HAVE REASONS TO THINK SO. And they are weighty, whatever they are. And they are as valuable as other parts of your personality. If you are reading this article and you have had suicidal thoughts, or even have them now, I ask you to talk about it. Tell the interlocutor, whoever he is, what led you to these thoughts, what you yourself think and feel about this. Talk about it until you feel fulfilled, relieved, and understand what is happening to you. It's good if after the conversation you get the feeling that thoughts no longer hang / will not hang, flicker in your consciousness and unconscious. If such a feeling has not come, it is necessary to continue working with this, talk about it, seek help in this regard.

Panic, fear, shame about these thoughts accompany some people. These emotions are normal, but they shouldn't lock you in on your own. Should not interfere with attempts to express oneself, open oneself, show oneself. Look for support. Try to find contact with people, even if one or more of your attempts to talk about something like this did not end as you expected, not the way you would like. If you are able to manage your emotions without suppressing them - when thinking about suicide, try not to expand fear, panic and shame in yourself. If too strong emotions are overwhelmed, try to stand in the position of an observer and observe your emotions from the side. Analyze them. Why am I scared? Where does the panic come from? Why is it embarrassing? What am I afraid of?

It is also normal to be afraid of others' reactions. Indeed, someone may react negatively to such conversations. And this is also normal, because most often the person with whom we dared to share is sincerely worried about us. From fright, he can react tactlessly, incorrectly, and even hurt you. This does not mean that in this case we cannot trust anyone at all, that all people will react in exactly the same way. Purposefully look for those who inspire maximum trust in you as a person who will not harm you or yourself in an open dialogue. Don't stop this quest. It is not scary if you suddenly discover that such a person suddenly turns out to be a completely stranger, like the same counselor on the line of trust, a psychologist, or a random fellow traveler on the train.

Thus, I want to express one thought. Suicidal thoughts are not something scary, shameful, or unpleasant. These are thoughts. We are often mistaken when we endow our thoughts with magical power, as if they are already a harbinger of our actions. It's not like that at all. Thoughts will never be put into action without our personal choice. However, suicidal thoughts are ALWAYS THAT NEEDS ATTENTION. In acceptance, in processing, in awareness, in openness, in honesty. Our direct task is to make a choice in favor of these things even in the case when "nothing like that, these are just thoughts." Our direct task is to make a choice in favor of life.

If you need help, you want to understand your feelings, understand what is happening in your life and what can be done about it to improve the situation - you can contact me for an online consultation via personal messages on VKontakte.