What suicidal thought patterns are there?
Suicidal thoughts are usually a symptom of mental illness, especially depression. In the context of such a mental disorder, those affected exhibit specific thought patterns from which they cannot break out on their own and which, in the worst case, lead to suicide. The thoughts are controlled by
- Hopelessness,
- Grief
- And other negative feelings dominate and become more and more acute.
Dominant thoughts
The patients are almost caught in these dark spirals of thoughts. Examples of this are: These thoughts paralyse the patients and prevent them from perceiving positive experiences. Negative events, on the other hand, are experienced over and over again.
In addition, the mental illness often leads to attention and concentration disorders, so that it is difficult for those affected to think clearly and reflect on their situation. Everything they experience is therefore negative, and the end of their own lives seems like the only way out. – “This is all my fault.
“
- “I can’t help it. “
- “There is no way out. “
- “I can’t think straight.
“
- “I can’t take it anymore. “
- “It’s all meaningless now. “
- “I am but a burden to everyone.
“
- “No one would miss me. “
- “No one can help me. “
- “I am completely alone. “
What emotions can indicate suicide?
The feelings of a person at risk of suicide correspond in their basic features to those of a depression. These include first and foremost suicidal patients, who also suffer from a deep despair and hopelessness that sparks thoughts of ending their own lives. This inner conflict manifests itself in a pronounced irritability, exaggerated stress and fear reactions and frequent mood swings.
The feeling of loneliness and isolation is also omnipresent in suicidal people. In the case of an acutely planned suicide, this depressed mood suddenly turns into a positive one. Patients who have made a firm decision to commit suicide are suddenly calmer and more serene, almost relaxed, because they have found a solution to their problem.
They therefore no longer show any symptoms of depression, but rather a brightening of the mood. A sudden development of positive feelings in a known depression is therefore a clear warning signal for an impending suicide. – Lack of joy and drive,
- Melancholy
- And loss of interest.
Typical behaviour indicating suicide
If a person no longer considers his own life worth living, his behaviour will change accordingly. For example, many suicidal people display an increased willingness to take risks, such as excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs or unprotected sexual intercourse, because their lives no longer have any value for them and do not need to be protected. In addition, most people at risk of suicide speak more or less openly about their suicidal thoughts when they are spoken to.
Once the final decision to commit suicide has been made, the person will make certain preparations. This can be, for example, the settling of personal matters or saying goodbye to loved ones. Typical behaviour would therefore be the giving away of one’s own property or valuable objects, the determination of the last will or the last meeting with loved ones.
It would also be clear to obtain a means of killing, such as tablets, or to deal with bridges, railway crossings and other death scenarios. For some of those affected, the environment does not even notice these preparations and the suicide comes suddenly for everyone. In most cases, however, the suicidal person clearly expresses his or her wish to die and shows corresponding behaviour.
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