The psychological signs of suicide
Suicide
Suicide is defined as the act of an individual killing themselves. Suicide is a complex action which is often the result of a myriad of different factors. Personal experiences, mental health, relationship problems, and a host of other factors can all lead someone into feeling that suicide is a necessary, acceptable, or practical response to their experiences. There is no one reason for committing suicide, but the fact remains that suicide is an action which can affect not only the person who has chosen to kill themselves but that individual’s friends and family, who are often left to handle the complex psychological trauma which often occurs after someone commits suicide.
Psychological signs of suicide
Though there is no single psychological reason for committing suicide, there are often a number of different psychological signs which are experienced by those who may be having suicidal thoughts or may be witnessed by those close to someone who may be having suicidal thoughts. The following are the most noticeable psychological signs of suicide—although someone experiencing these symptoms, or being seen to experience these symptoms, is not necessarily planning to commit suicide.
Suicidal ideation: Suicidal ideation refers to frequent thoughts about suicide. Someone experiencing suicidal ideation will often fantasize about killing themselves. They may also fantasize about what might happen after their suicide, such as imagining how family and friends will react. An increase in thoughts about suicide is often a significant sign when it is experienced in conjunction with other psychological signs of suicide.
Social Withdrawal: Social withdrawal refers to the tendency for people with suicidal thoughts to socially withdraw from their family, friends, and other social activities. They may feel unwilling to attend social gatherings or even to talk to family or friends. They may even skip work or quit work in order to avoid social interaction there. Withdrawal is sometimes a way for the mind to psychologically dissociate itself from relationships which may hinder the completion of suicidal thoughts or a suicide attempt plan.
Loss of Interest: A sudden loss of interest in hobbies, activities and other factors which were previously enjoyable to an individual may be a warning sign of suicide, when it occurs in conjunction with other psychological signs of suicide. Often, the individual devices no enjoyment from activities—such as a hobby, like dancing or painting—which was once fulfilling for them. This lack of interest may contribute to their low mood or depression.
Depression: Many people who commit suicide are depressed; some even have major depressive disorder. Depression is signified by a period of an intense low mood, often accompanied by low self-esteem, social anxiety, and other negative emotions.
Risk Taking: Psychologically, risk taking in someone with suicidal thoughts often occurs because that person has the unconscious desire to die; therefore, they may take risks which could get them killed or even risks which would seriously alter their lifestyle, such as getting into confrontations at work or investing all of their savings on risky endeavor.
