Warning signs of suicide
The warning signs of suicide have been noted by groups which have analyzed or studied cases to determine predictors of suicidal actions. Those warning signs include both actions and spoken words of hopelessness, intense anger, or unexplained late happiness, which can reveal an ominous pattern. However, some signs might seem too subtle to an untrained observer who has only limited contact with the person, such as changes in clothing or withdrawing from friends or prior interests.
There are several unusual or related actions which have been associated as predictors of suicidal feelings, including:[1]
- previous suicide attempts (biggest risk factor, 80% tried it before);[2]
- mentioning suicide plans; in the majority of cases, people have voiced their intent before killing themselves;[1][2][3]
- acquiring the means, such as a firearm (gun), rope, poison or stockpiling pills;[1][2][3]
- preoccupation with death in conversations;[1][2][3]
- giving away valuable items or favorite prized possessions on impulse;[1][2][3]
- recent neglect of their appearance and hygiene;[1][2]
- cleaning and tidying a room far more than usual;
- morosely sad, depressed, hopeless or lacking energy;[1][2][3]
- rage, uncontrolled anger, or seeking revenge;[1][3]
- increased use of alcohol or drug abuse;[1][2][3]
- too much sleep[2] or too little; insomnia;[1][3]
- sudden lift in spirits or happiness, after long sadness, for the end is near;[1]
- withdrawing from friends, family and prior interests;[2]
- dramatic change in dress or personal activities;[2][3]
- rewriting a will (legal), or farewell letters, or visiting to say goodbye;[2][3]
- apologizing to others for various past actions;
- taking deadly risks such as driving extremely fast or running redlights;[2]
- absenteeism or poorer performance at work or school.[2]
Although not every case has shown those warning signs, a large percentage of cases have included some of them.[4]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Warning Signs of Suicide", University of Maryland, University Health Center, College Park, MD (USA), 2009.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "Warning signs of suicide" Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas, SCCenter.org, 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Suicide: What to do when someone is suicidal", MayoClinic.com, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Rochester, Minnesota, 2013.
- ↑ "The 10 Warning Signs of Suicide", HealthGuidance.org, 2013.
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