Chapter Ten: Psychological Disorders

Taking Psychology With You:
When a Friend is Suicidal

INTRODUCTION

It might be helpful to know the difference between fact and fiction and recognize the danger signals.

KEY CONCEPTS

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It is certainly recommended that you read the text, and perhaps review some of the links at the bottom of the page.

Possible Motives for suicide:

• Believe they have no reason to live.
  
  
• Feel like failures in a world where everybody else is successful.
  
  
• Revenge against those who have made them suffer.
  
  
• Life is unendurable.
  
  
  • They may not want to die, but they certainly want to escape the intolerable emotions and despair they are experiencing.

Don't assume you can identify a "suicidal type."

• Isolated and lonely are vulnerable.
  
  
• Perfectionistic and self-critical are also at risk.

Take all suicide threats seriously.

• Few suicides are committed without signaling their intention (although not all talk of suicide ends up in a suicide attempt).
  
  
• Talking about it will be the first step in getting relief from the distress they are feeling.

Don't assume they will just do it anyway -- sometime or someplace else.

• Few people who attempt suicide will continue to attempt suicide until they die.
  
  
• The suicide usually occurs during an acute crisis, and once the crisis is resolved the person is no longer interested in suicide.

Know the danger signs:

• Withdrawn
• Apathetic.
• Isolated.
• History of depression.
• History of suicide attempts.
• Reveals specific suicide plans.
• Gives away cherished possessions.
• Has access to a lethal method (e.g. gun).

Take constructive action:

• Don't be afraid to ask if they are contemplating suicide.
  
  
• Allow them to talk about their situation without arguments or disapproval.
  
  
• Don't leave them alone -- get them to a counselor, hospital, or contact a suicide prevention center.

LINKS About Suicide and its Prevention

• weblink: American Association of Suicidology.
• weblink: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
• weblink: Suicide Crisis Center .

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