Symptoms of a suicidal person
Suicide and suicidal thoughts - Symptoms and causes
Overview
Suicide, taking your own life, is a tragic reaction to stressful life situations — and all the more tragic because suicide can be prevented. Whether you're considering suicide or know someone who feels suicidal, learn suicide warning signs and how to reach out for immediate help and professional treatment. You may save a life — your own or someone else's.
It may seem like there's no way to solve your problems and that suicide is the only way to end the pain. But you can take steps to stay safe — and start enjoying your life again.
For immediate help
If you're feeling overwhelmed by thoughts of not wanting to live or you're having urges to attempt suicide, get help now.
- Call a suicide hotline.
- In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat at 988lifeline.org/chat/. Services are free and confidential.
- If you’re a U.S. veteran or service member in crisis, call 988 and then press 1, or text 838255. Or chat using veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/.
- The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S. has a Spanish language phone line at 1-888-628-9454.
- In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or use the Lifeline Chat at 988lifeline.org/chat/. Services are free and confidential.
- Call 911 in the U.S. or your local emergency number immediately.
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Symptoms
Suicide warning signs or suicidal thoughts include:
- Talking about suicide — for example, making statements such as "I'm going to kill myself," "I wish I were dead" or "I wish I hadn't been born"
- Getting the means to take your own life, such as buying a gun or stockpiling pills
- Withdrawing from social contact and wanting to be left alone
- Having mood swings, such as being emotionally high one day and deeply discouraged the next
- Being preoccupied with death, dying or violence
- Feeling trapped or hopeless about a situation
- Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
- Changing normal routine, including eating or sleeping patterns
- Doing risky or self-destructive things, such as using drugs or driving recklessly
- Giving away belongings or getting affairs in order when there's no other logical explanation for doing this
- Saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again
- Developing personality changes or being severely anxious or agitated, particularly when experiencing some of the warning signs listed above
Warning signs aren't always obvious, and they may vary from person to person.
Some people make their intentions clear, while others keep suicidal thoughts and feelings secret.
When to see a doctor
If you're feeling suicidal, but you aren't immediately thinking of hurting yourself:
- Reach out to a close friend or loved one — even though it may be hard to talk about your feelings
- Contact a minister, spiritual leader or someone in your faith community
- Call a suicide hotline
- Make an appointment with your doctor, other health care provider or a mental health professional
Suicidal thinking doesn't get better on its own — so get help.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic
Causes
Suicidal thoughts have many causes. Most often, suicidal thoughts are the result of feeling like you can't cope when you're faced with what seems to be an overwhelming life situation. If you don't have hope for the future, you may mistakenly think suicide is a solution. You may experience a sort of tunnel vision, where in the middle of a crisis you believe suicide is the only way out.
There also may be a genetic link to suicide. People who complete suicide or who have suicidal thoughts or behavior are more likely to have a family history of suicide.
Risk factors
Although attempted suicide is more frequent for women, men are more likely than women to complete suicide because they typically use more-lethal methods, such as a firearm.
You may be at risk of suicide if you:
- Attempted suicide before
- Feel hopeless, worthless, agitated, socially isolated or lonely
- Experience a stressful life event, such as the loss of a loved one, military service, a breakup, or financial or legal problems
- Have a substance abuse problem — alcohol and drug abuse can worsen thoughts of suicide and make you feel reckless or impulsive enough to act on your thoughts
- Have suicidal thoughts and have access to firearms in your home
- Have an underlying psychiatric disorder, such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or bipolar disorder
- Have a family history of mental disorders, substance abuse, suicide, or violence, including physical or sexual abuse
- Have a medical condition that can be linked to depression and suicidal thinking, such as chronic disease, chronic pain or terminal illness
- Are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender with an unsupportive family or in a hostile environment
Children and teenagers
Suicide in children and teenagers can follow stressful life events.
What a young person sees as serious and insurmountable may seem minor to an adult — such as problems in school or the loss of a friendship. In some cases, a child or teen may feel suicidal due to certain life circumstances that he or she may not want to talk about, such as:
- Having a psychiatric disorder, including depression
- Loss or conflict with close friends or family members
- History of physical or sexual abuse
- Problems with alcohol or drugs
- Physical or medical issues, for example, becoming pregnant or having a sexually transmitted infection
- Being the victim of bullying
- Being uncertain of sexual orientation
- Reading or hearing an account of suicide or knowing a peer who died by suicide
If you have concerns about a friend or family member, asking about suicidal thoughts and intentions is the best way to identify risk.
Murder and suicide
In rare cases, people who are suicidal are at risk of killing others and then themselves.
Known as a homicide-suicide or murder-suicide, some risk factors include:
- History of conflict with a spouse or romantic partner
- Current family legal or financial problems
- History of mental health problems, particularly depression
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Having access to a firearm
Starting antidepressants and increased suicide risk
Most antidepressants are generally safe, but the Food and Drug Administration requires that all antidepressants carry black box warnings, the strictest warnings for prescriptions. In some cases, children, teenagers and young adults under 25 may have an increase in suicidal thoughts or behavior when taking antidepressants, especially in the first few weeks after starting or when the dose is changed.
However, keep in mind that antidepressants are more likely to reduce suicide risk in the long run by improving mood.
Teen suicide prevention
Female 1: I have my ups and downs just like anybody else.
Male 1: Maybe more than anybody else.
Female 2: I can be hard to figure out
Male 2: and I like my privacy.
Male 3: I don't want you looking over my shoulder all the time.
Female 3: But you know your kid better than anybody else and if you think he's acting different than usual,
Male 1: acting really down, crying all the time for no good reason
Female 2: or getting really mad,
Female 1: not able to sleep or sleeping too much,
Male 3: shutting their friends out or giving their stuff away,
Female 2: acting reckless, drinking, using drugs, staying out late,
Male 2: suddenly not doing stuff they used to love
Female 3: or doing stuff that's just not like him,
Male 1: it might be nothing to worry about.
It might just be high school
Female 1: or it might be something more. He might be depressed.
Female 3: Not just feeling down, really depressed.
Male 2: It might be that your kid is thinking about killing himself.
Male 3: It happens more than you think, more than it should.
Female 3: And people say "I had no idea."
Male 1: "I thought it was just a phase he was going through."
Female 1: "I never thought she'd do it."
Male 2: "I wish he'd come to me."
Female 2: "I wish he had said something."
Male 3: "I wish I'd said something."
Female 3: when it's too late. So if you think your kids acting different, if she seems like a different person, say something.
Male 1: Say "What's wrong? How can I help?"
Female 2: and ask him straight out, "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
Female 1: It doesn't hurt to ask.
In fact, it helps.
Male 3: When people are thinking about killing themselves, they want somebody to ask.
Male 2: They want somebody to care.
Female 2: Maybe you're afraid you'll make it worse if you ask. Like you'll put the idea in their head.
Male 3: Believe me, it doesn't work that way.
Female 1: It doesn't hurt to ask.
Female 3: In fact, the best way to keep a teenager from killing herself is to ask, "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
Male 1: And what if they say "yes"
Female 2: or "maybe"
Male 2: or "sometimes?"
Female 3: Well, here's what you don't say,
Male 3: "That's crazy."
Female 2: "Don't be such a drama queen."
Male 3: "You're making too much of this."
Female 1: "That boy's not worth killing yourself over.
"
Female 3: "It's not going to solve anything."
Male 1: "You're just trying to get attention."
Male 2: "You're not going to kill yourself."
Male 3: What you do say is
Female 2: "I'm sorry you're feeling so bad."
Female 1: "How can I help?"
Female 3: "We'll get through this together."
Male 1: "Let's keep you safe."
Male 2: A lot of people think about killing themselves, adults and kids.
Male 3: Most of them never tried but some of them do, so if your kid says,
Female 2: "I'd be better off dead."
Female 3: "I can't live with this."
Male 3: "I'm gonna kill myself."
Male 2: take her seriously. Find someone she can talk to about it. Someone who knows how to help.
Female 2: Sometimes kids want to kill themselves because something happened--a breakup, a failure,
Female 1: but sometimes it goes deeper and it's not going to go away by itself.
Female 3: Get some help. Talk to your doctor,
Male 2: or a counselor at school,
Male 1: or your minister,
Male 3: but don't just let it drop,
Female 1: and make sure that your kid always has someone to turn to. Someone he trusts.
Female 3: Make a list together. Write down three, four, five names
Male 1: and put a suicide hotline number on there, too.
Male 3: Have him keep that list in his wallet so he always knows where to turn.
Female 3: Make sure your home is safe.
Female 2: If you have pills she could use to hurt herself, lock them up.
Male 2: If you have a gun, don't just lock it up.
Get it out of the house, the bullets too.
Male 1: And one more thing, if you think your kid might be about to hurt himself, don't leave him alone.
Female 1: Take him to the emergency room.
Male 3: Call 9-1-1 if you have to.
Male 1: We all have our ups and downs but sometimes it's more than that.
Female 3: If you think something's wrong, the only way to find out is to ask.
Female 2: Ask straight-out, "Are you thinking about killing yourself?"
Male 2: Don't wait until you're sure. Trust your gut.
Male 3: Because it never hurts to ask
Female 1: and it can make a big difference,
Female 2: all the difference
Female 3: in your kid's life.
Reach out — Preventing teen suicide
[Music playing]
[Woman singing]
[Song lyrics]
I know what it feels like to say I'm so cold.
One without the other. Lost in that hole. Don't think you are all alone. You have somewhere to go. This ain't a one-person show. Let someone out there lend you a hand. Don't go through this alone.
Reach Out. Give someone a chance to help even when you are falling down, down, down. Your whole life will turn around. Reach out to somebody. Give your hand to somebody. Life is in the palm of their hands.
Reach Out. Give someone a chance to help even when you are falling down, down, down. Your whole life will turn around. Reach out to somebody. Give your hand to somebody. Life is in the palm of their hands. Reach out to them. Reach out to them. Reach out to them.
[Music playing]
Complications
Suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide take an emotional toll. For instance, you may be so consumed by suicidal thoughts that you can't function in your daily life. And while many attempted suicides are impulsive acts during a moment of crisis, they can leave you with permanent serious or severe injuries, such as organ failure or brain damage.
For those left behind after a suicide — people known as survivors of suicide — grief, anger, depression and guilt are common.
Prevention
To help keep yourself from feeling suicidal:
- Get the treatment you need. If you don't treat the underlying cause, your suicidal thoughts are likely to return. You may feel embarrassed to seek treatment for mental health problems, but getting the right treatment for depression, substance misuse or another underlying problem will make you feel better about life — and help keep you safe.
- Establish your support network. It may be hard to talk about suicidal feelings, and your friends and family may not fully understand why you feel the way you do. Reach out anyway, and make sure the people who care about you know what's going on and are there when you need them. You may also want to get help from your place of worship, support groups or other community resources. Feeling connected and supported can help reduce suicide risk.
- Remember, suicidal feelings are temporary. If you feel hopeless or that life's not worth living anymore, remember that treatment can help you regain your perspective — and life will get better. Take one step at a time and don't act impulsively.
More Information
- Suicide and suicidal thoughts care at Mayo Clinic
- Are you thinking about suicide? How to stay safe and find treatment
By Mayo Clinic Staff
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5 Warning Signs of Suicidal Behavior That Are Easy to Miss – Bridges to Recovery
September 10, 2019, Mary Ellen EllisBridges to Recovery
Suicidal warning signs should be taken very seriously. There are some signs that are obvious, such as talking about suicide and dying, but others are much more subtle and can be easily missed. It is important to know the signs, especially for those who have risk factors for suicide.
Early detection of warning signs can lead to professional help and mental health treatment and can even save a life.
Suicide is a terrible tragedy for individuals and the people who care about them. Since hitting a low in 2000, suicides have been rising in the U.S. From 2000 to 2016, suicides went up by 30 percent. Suicide in girls and women increased by 50 percent. It is now the 10th leading cause of death in the country. Why these increases have occurred is not fully understood, but it highlights the need for better mental health care.
The statistics also show that everyone needs to be more aware of the risk of suicide and the warning signs. If someone you care about is showing signs of suicidal behaviors, you can take steps to get help. But, there are signs that are not always clear or easy to see. Some people hide their feelings and intentions very well. Learn more about what suicidal behavior looks like and you could help save a life.
Suicide Risk Factors
Suicide does not discriminate.
Anyone of any race, gender, age, or socioeconomic status may feel suicidal at any point in their lives. Even someone who seems to be happy or to “have it all” can be vulnerable to suicide.
There are certain risk factors to be aware of, though. These are situations, conditions, and other factors that put some people at a greater risk of becoming suicidal:
- Having a mental illness, particularly depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, or conduct disorder and especially an untreated mental illness
- Having a substance use disorder
- Being seriously ill, living with a chronic or terminal illness, or being in significant, long-term pain
- Suffering from a traumatic brain injury
- Stressful life situations, especially those that are prolonged, including bullying or relationship problems
- Sudden stressful or traumatic situations, like the loss of a loved one
- Having experienced childhood trauma and abuse
- Having access to lethal means
- Being exposed to another person’s suicide
- Past suicide attempts
- A family history of suicide
Having risk factors for suicide does not mean that it is inevitable.
If you or someone you care about has one or more of these, though, you need to be especially aware of and on the watch for warning signs.
There isn’t really any typical pattern of behavior for someone who is suicidal, but there are common warning signs. You may see one or more of these in someone contemplating suicide. These are the signs that are generally clear and easy to observe:
- Talking about dying or wanting to die
- Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no way out of problems
- Mentioning strong feelings of guilt and shame
- Talking about not having a reason to live or that others would be better off without them
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Giving away personal items and wrapping up loose ends
- Saying goodbye to friends and family
Unfortunately, there are also signs of suicide that are easy to miss. Even people close to the person feeling suicidal may not realize how deeply hopeless they feel.
Here are five signs you need to know about that could indicate someone is thinking about suicide:
- Any unusual changes in behavior. This is common for someone who is suicidal, but it’s easy to overlook because the changes may not seem related to depression or hopelessness. For instance, someone you know who is usually kind may become angry and aggressive. Or, someone who has been sad and struggling with depression may suddenly become calm and seemingly happy and at peace. Other changes may include increased substance abuse or unusual mood swings.
- Changes in sleeping patterns. A shift in how someone sleeps is a sign of depression but also suicidal behaviors. Someone who is feeling suicidal may sleep more than normal, struggling to get out of bed at all. They may sleep less, experiencing insomnia and staying up until all hours and then struggling the next day from fatigue. Whether it’s a symptom of being suicidal or not, these kinds of changes in sleeping habits are cause for concern and should be addressed.
- Accessing lethal means. This sign can potentially be obvious, such as if a loved one tells you they have bought a gun. However, gathering lethal means is also an important warning sign that can be hidden. Someone may start stockpiling pills without anyone noticing. They are easy to hide. It’s important to be aware of any lethal means someone you are concerned about may have access to. With access the risk of suicide goes up.
- Emotional distance. Someone who is feeling suicidal may become detached from life in general, from other people, and from typical activities. They may seem emotionally distant from people, whether or not they have isolated themselves socially. Acting indifferent in the face of emotional situations may not seem like a suicidal behavior, so it is important to note this kind of behavior and recognize it as a potential warning sign or a symptom of depression. Along the same lines, someone feeling suicidal may lose interest in normal activities, work and home, and things they once enjoyed.
- Physical pain. Physical pain and discomfort are often overlooked as symptoms of depression and also of suicide. If someone you know complains often of any type of pain, like headaches, digestive upset, or just general body pain, be alert to other signs of depression or suicide. If the individual has no easy explanation for the pain, such as a history of migraines or an athletic injury causing achy muscles, you should be especially concerned.
Begin Your Recovery Journey.
877-727-4343What to Do If Someone Seems Suicidal
With greater awareness of these and the less subtle signs of suicidal thoughts it is easier to know when to get help. But what do you do if someone you know is exhibiting these signs? First, if someone is actually threatening suicide, talking about doing it, or has or is actively asking for lethal means, call 911 and get emergency help. Do not leave them alone.
If the situation is not that immediate, but you suspect someone is suicidal, talk to them about it.
Mentioning suicide or discussing it is not going to push anyone over the edge and make them take action. Talk to this person privately, listen without judgment, and be compassionate. Ask them directly if they are considering suicide.
Also suggest they get professional help and offer them options to make it an easier step to take. Provide a national suicide hotline number and find out who they might feel most comfortable talking to, such as a trusted doctor or a religious counselor. Enlist the help of other loved ones if you are struggling to get through to someone who seems suicidal.
Suicide is a growing problem and cause of death in the U.S. Unfortunately, some of the signs of suicidal behaviors are subtle and hard to detect until it’s too late. Be aware of all the warning signs, and above all take note if someone you care about seems off or different. Offer help, provide treatment options, and be there as a friend who will listen and support them.
Bridges to Recovery offers comprehensive treatment for people struggling with mental health disorders as well as co-occurring substance use disorders.
Contact us to learn more about our renowned Los Angeles-based program and how we can help you or your loved one start on the path to lasting wellness.
Get help & support for suicide
If you’re in emotional distress or suicidal crisis, find help in your area with Find a helpline.
If you believe that someone else is in danger of suicide and you have their contact information, contact your local law enforcement for immediate help. You can also encourage the person to contact a suicide prevention hotline using the information above.
Learn more about personal crisis information with Google Search.
Google’s crisis information comes from high-quality websites, partnerships, medical professionals, and search results.
Important: Partnerships vary by country and region.
| Country | Hotline organization | Website | Phone number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Centro de Asistencia al Suicida | www. asistenciaalsuicida.org | (011) 5275-1135 |
| Australia | Lifeline Australia | www.lifeline.org | 13 11 14 |
| Austria | Telefon Seelsorge Osterreich | www.telefonseelsorge.at | 142 |
| Belgium | Center de Prevention du Suicide | www.preventionsuicide.be | 0800 32 123 |
| Belgium | CHS Helpline | www.chsbelgium.org | 02 648 40 14 |
| Belgium | Zelfmoord 1813 | www.zelfmoord1813.be | 1813 |
| Brazil | Centro de Valorização da Vida | www.cvv.org | 188 |
| Canada | Crisis Services Canada | crisisservicescanada. ca | 833-456-4566 |
| Chile | Ministry of Health of Chile | www.hospitaldigital.gob | 6003607777 |
| China | Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center | www.crisis.org | 800-810-1117 |
| Costa Rica | Colegio de Profesionales en Psicologia de Costa Rica | psicologiacr.com/aqui-estoy | 2272-3774 |
| France | SOS Amitié | www.sos-amitie.org | 09 72 39 40 50 |
| Germany | Telefon Seelsorge Deutschland | www.telefonseelsorge.de | 0800 1110111 |
| Hong Kong | Suicide Prevention Services | www.sps.org | 2382 0000 |
| India | iCall Helpline | icallhelpline. org | 9152987821 |
| Ireland | Samaritans Ireland | www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help | 116 123 |
| Israel | [Eran] ער"ן | www.eran.org | 1201 |
| Italy | Samaritans Onlus | www.samaritansonlus.org | 06 77208977 |
| Japan | Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology | www.mext.go.jp | 81-0120-0-78310 |
| Japan | Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan | www.mhlw.go | 0570-064-556 |
| Malaysia | Befrienders KL | www.befrienders.org | 03-76272929 |
| Netherlands | 113Online | www. 113.nl | 0800-0113 |
| New Zealand | Lifeline Aotearoa Incorporated | www.lifeline.org | 0800 543 354 |
| Norway | Mental Helse | mentalhelse.no | 116 123 |
| Pakistan | Umang Pakistan | www.umang.com.pk/ | 0311-7786264 |
| Peru | Linea 113 Salud | www.gob.pe/555-recibir-informacion-y-orientacion-en-salud | 113 |
| Philippines | Department of Health - Republic of the Philippines | doh.gov.ph/NCMH-Crisis-Hotline | 0966-351-4518 |
| Portugal | SOS Voz Amiga | www.sosvozamiga.org | 213 544 545 963 524 660 912 802 669 |
| Russia | Fund to Support Children in Difficult Life Situations | www. | 8-800-2000-122 |
| Singapore | Samaritans of Singapore | www.sos.org | 1-767 |
| South Africa | South African Depression and Anxiety Group | www.sadag.org | 0800 567 567 |
| South Korea | Korea Suicide Prevention Center중앙자살예방센터 | www.spckorea.or | 1393 |
| Spain | Telefono de la Esperanza | www.telefonodelaesperanza.org | 717 003 717 |
| Switzerland | Die Dargebotene Hand | www.143.ch | 143 |
| Taiwan | 国际生命线台湾总会 [International Lifeline Taiwan Association] | www.life1995.org | 1995 |
| Ukraine | Lifeline Ukraine | lifelineukraine. | 7333 |
| United Kingdom | Samaritans | www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help | 116 123 |
| United States | 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline | 988lifeline.org | 988 |
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Helpline
Information about the unified all-Russian children’s helpline
0446 8-800-2000-122 .
When calling this number in any locality of the Russian Federation from fixed or mobile phones, children in difficult life situations, adolescents and their parents, other citizens can receive emergency psychological assistance, which is provided by specialists of services already operating in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation that provide services for telephone counseling and connected to a single all-Russian number of children's helpline.
Confidentiality and free of charge are the two main principles of the children's helpline. This means that every child and parent can anonymously and free of charge receive psychological assistance and the secrecy of his call to the helpline is guaranteed.
Working hours of the children's helpline in the constituent entities of the Russian Federation
(as of October 1, 2013)
| Name of the subject of the Russian Federation 9Arkhangelsk region 09.00-22.00 | |||
| 22 | with Nenets Autonomous Okrug | daily 09.00-17.30 | |
| 23 | Vologda region | around the clock | |
| 24 | Kaliningrad region | daily0039 | around the clock |
| 35 | Chechen Republic 08.30-20.00 | ||
| Southern Federal District | |||
| 37 | Republic of Adygea | ||
| Kalmykia | PON-PIP. | ||
| 3 | |||
| 80 | Magadan region | Pon.-Pon. 10.00.22.00 | |
| 81 | Sakhalin Region | ||
| 900 | |||
| 83 | Chukotka AO | Mon-Fri 09.00-22.00, closed 16.00-22.00 | |
Infographics. The principle of operation of a single federal helpline number for children, adolescents and their parents
Information from the regions about the work of the children's helpline
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