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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Ria, you asked about suicidal ideations
Post Info TOPIC: Ria, you asked about suicidal ideations
bobump


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Ria, you asked about suicidal ideations
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Since I've had three members of my family evaluated and treated for them this month, I know anecdotally what they are, but didn't know the real definition. 


Interesting reading I found included


Evaluation and Treatment of Patients with Suicidal Ideation p://www.aafp.org/afp/990315ap/1500.html


http://www.frankfordhospitals.org/healthinfo/adult/mentalhealth/glossary.html#S


suicidal ideation - thoughts of suicide or wanting to take one's life.


Now I think the key to the ideation is the intensity of the thought and the plan.  Again anecdotally speaking, I've had therapists ask me if I ever thought of killing myself.  Yes, I've thought of driving my van into the lake, I know the exact turn on the road I would do it on.  That being said, when I had those thoughts, I also knew and told the therapist that I wasn't concerned because I knew I was too chicken sh** to ever carry it out.  That said they were not alarmed.  On the other hand, my wife attempted, and my two daughters both expressed a plan and a serioius consideration to carrying it out.  What was interesting was my one daughter clammed right up when a plan was asked.  That too was an alarm because it meant that she was no longer being open about it.


Again, this is only ESH and NOT medical advice.  :)


Bob



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debilyn


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thank you for the info. I went to my doc becuz of this. I didn't understand how come I got the thoughts just becuz I was depressed.


Not everyone gets those thoughts. I do know for me, I did not want my life to go on as it was. It triggered me to think of options to change things.


Sadly my lifes jouney is so full of death. It just blows me away. It still cont. too. I was looking at pictures and a family photo came up and I realized they were all gone except my kids.


ick. But I have hope and faith so that gets me thru. love,debilyn



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Powerless


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When I worked at the crisis unit at mental health a few years ago, we always were on alert when the patient had thoughts, a viable plan, the means and could not tell us that they see themselves doing six months or a year from now.  I think thoughts of suicide probably cross the minds of millions of people at some time or another.  They key is to tell yourself that it will pass and things will get better.  Some people get so depressed, feel helpless and hopeless and can't see any joy in their life at the present moment and have given up all hope of things ever improving.  I tell myself every day that this will pass.  Life is about change and we as humans and our situations constantly change.  Seeking medical and/or mental health treatment is a wonderful idea for people having these thoughts and feelings.

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Ria


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Hi bump. Thank you so much for starting this as a thread. I googled and found some interesting information and will check out the websites you've mentioned. I really am sorry that you're having such personal experience of this with so many of your loved ones suffering. My heart goes out to you and I wish you strength to get through the difficult times ahead.


I have been diagnosed with clinical depression for some years now and occasionally I've had suicidal thoughts but fortunately recognised them for what they were, my illness telling me lies and wanting to keep me sick. I never actually attempted suicide as my desire for a happy, fulfilled life always seems to kick in at just the right time. (I detect the hand of God in there somewhere.) However, there was one occasion when I had it all planned, the means in place, the time-line and every intention of following it through and succeeding. It was not a cry for help. Nobody even knew I was unhappy let alone suicidal, which was extremely out of character as I was generally very open with my emotions. The only thing that stopped me was that I realised my Mum couldn't afford to even give me a decent burial and that would break her heart. I put my plan on ice and thank God six months later my mind-set had altered. Even having been through this and subsequently discussing it with my GP I never heard the term 'suicidal ideation'.


What made me particularly want to know is that an A friend of mine took his own life 5months ago and I just feel the medical profession should have been more aware and offered him better support. I know there are certain criteria they judge by and I feel he somehow 'fell through the cracks'.


Also, thanks for the replies to this post, they say so much. Its a difficult topic but we're only as sick as our secrets and I find there is still some stigma attached to mental health issues. Fortunately, I did get help for myself and today life is good but I'm still aware that many people are struggling alone in the darkness. All I can do is pray for them



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kitty


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Bob, thanks for posting this...  as u know I have some ESH in this area


Interesteing to find out about the "clamming up" part.  Luckily for me, I never really 'thought' of plans...  just out of pain.  I knew they were 'mind weeds' and I knew I wanted to cause an effect in my life...  that I desperately wanted things to change.


The moment I came up with a 'plan' I went for it but anyone around me at that time ~ as I grew deeper & darker for over a month & drank heavily, knowing this would be symbiotic, easily c/would have seen it.


My mother knew, she checked on me a lot...  luckily God spared me, I never went to the hospital just slept a lot.  Once I did this, the daily ideations went away.  Thank God!


Feeling that way was horrible, I suffered through it 21 years, from first attempt to second.  So I walked thru a threshold... thoughts gone.  Three weeks ago, I did fantasize about it, being out of pain, being away or somewhere else, down on my luck & BAM w/in 24 hours I had a car wreck & totalled my car from underneath...  and since I pray for "God's will to be done daily" apparently those type of thoughts aren't going to do it for me or God's will. 


So after so long of being "depressed" I am working on experiencing gratitude, happiness, joy, appreciation, forgiveness & compassion ~ INSTEAD!


with much love, -Kitty



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