What is suicide and suicidal behavior? Show
Suicide is the act of taking one’s own life. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States, taking the lives of approximately 47,000 Americans each year. Suicidal behavior refers to talking about or taking actions related to ending one’s own life. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors should be considered a psychiatric emergency. If you or someone you know is exhibiting either, you should seek immediate assistance from a healthcare provider. You can’t see what a person is feeling on the inside, so it isn’t always easy to identify when someone is having suicidal thoughts. However, some outward warning signs that a person may be contemplating suicide include:
It can feel scary, but taking action and getting someone the help they need may help prevent a suicide attempt or death. If you suspect that a family member or friend may be considering suicide, talk to them about your concerns. You can begin the conversation by asking questions in a non-judgmental and non-confrontational way. Talk openly and don’t be afraid to ask direct questions, such as “Are you thinking about suicide?” During the conversation, make sure you:
Make sure not to minimize their problems or attempts at shaming them into changing their mind. Listening and showing your support is the best way to help them. You can also encourage them to seek help from a professional. Offer to help them find a healthcare provider, make a phone call, or go with them to their first appointment. It can be frightening when someone you care about shows suicidal signs. But it’s critical to take action if you’re in a position to help. Starting a conversation to try to help save a life is a risk worth taking. If you’re concerned and don’t know what to do, you can get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. If you live in the United States, try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255). They have trained counselors available 24/7. Stop a Suicide Today is another helpful resource. Befrienders Worldwide and the International Association for Suicide Prevention are two organizations that provide contact information for crisis centers outside of the United States. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), if you notice someone doing any of the following, they should get care immediately:
If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm:
There’s usually no single reason someone decides to take their own life. Several factors can increase the risk of suicide, such as having a mental health disorder. But more than half of all people who die by suicide don’t have a known mental illness at the time of their death. Depression is the top mental health risk factor, but others include bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. Aside from mental health conditions, other factors that increase the risk of suicide include:
Those who have been shown to be at a higher risk for suicide are:
A healthcare provider may be able to determine whether someone is at high risk for suicide based on their symptoms, personal history, and family history. They will want to know when symptoms started and how often the person experiences them. They’ll also ask about any past or current medical problems and about certain conditions that may run in the family. This can help them determine possible explanations for symptoms and which tests or other professionals might be needed to make a diagnosis. They will likely make assessments of the person’s:
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause of someone’s suicidal thoughts and behavior. In many cases, though, treatment consists of talk therapy and medication. Talk therapyTalk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, is one possible treatment method for lowering your risk of attempting suicide. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talk therapy that’s often used for people who are having thoughts of suicide. Its purpose is to teach you how to work through stressful life events and emotions that may be contributing to your suicidal thoughts and behavior. CBT can also help you replace negative beliefs with positive ones and regain a sense of satisfaction and control in your life. A similar technique, called dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), may also be used. MedicationIf talk therapy isn’t enough to successfully lower risk, medication may be prescribed to ease symptoms, such as depression and anxiety. Treating these symptoms can help reduce or eliminate suicidal thoughts. One or more of the following types of medication could be prescribed:
Lifestyle changesIn addition to talk therapy and medication, suicide risk can sometimes be reduced by simply adopting certain healthy habits. These include:
If you’ve had suicidal thoughts or feelings, don’t be ashamed and don’t keep it to yourself. While some people have suicidal thoughts without any intention of ever acting on them, it’s still important to take some action. To help prevent these thoughts from recurring, there are several things you can do. Talk to someoneYou should never try to manage suicidal feelings entirely on your own. Getting professional help and support from loved ones can make it easier to overcome any challenges that are causing these feelings. Many organizations and support groups can help you cope with suicidal thoughts and recognize that suicide isn’t the best way to deal with stressful life events. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a great resource. Take medications as directedYou should never change your dosage or stop taking your medications unless your healthcare provider tells you to do so. Suicidal feelings may recur and you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking your medications. If you’re having unwanted side effects from the medication you’re currently taking, speak with your provider about switching to another one. Never skip an appointmentIt’s important to keep all your therapy sessions and other appointments. Sticking with your treatment plan is the best way to deal with suicidal thoughts and behavior. Pay attention to warning signsWork with your healthcare provider or therapist to learn about the possible triggers for your suicidal feelings. This will help you recognize the signs of danger early on and decide what steps to take ahead of time. It can also help to tell family members and friends about the warning signs so they can know when you may need help. Eliminate access to lethal methods of suicideGet rid of any firearms, knives, or serious medications if you worry that you might act on suicidal thoughts. The following resources provide trained counselors and information about suicide prevention:
Today, many organizations and people are working hard on suicide prevention, and there are more resources available than ever. No one should have to deal with suicidal thoughts alone. Whether you’re a loved one who’s concerned about someone or you’re struggling yourself, help is available. Don’t keep silent — you may help save a life. In what part of the process of perception do you choose to pay attention to certain stimuli?Selecting is the first part of the perception process, in which we focus our attention on certain incoming sensory information. We tend to pay attention to information that is salient. Salience is the degree to which something attracts our attention in a particular context.
Which three of the following are part of the stereotyping process?Stereotyping is based on the following four-step process: categorization, inferences, expectations, and maintenance. It is always a mistake to use stereotypes. Stereotypes are not always negative.
When checking your perceptions about others you can follow these steps?Perception Checking has 3 parts: Description - provide a description of the behavior you noticed. Interpretation - provide two possible interpretations of the behavior. Clarification - request clarification from the person about the behavior & your interpretations.
Which term describes the process of assigning meaning to information that has been selected and organized?interpretation. the process of assigning meaning to information that has been selected for attention and organized.
|