Suicide has become a more serious issue in the U.S. over the last 20 years.  Since 1999, suicide rates have increased by 30% and it is now the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S.  The rate of suicide is 50% higher in the military.

Of the many reasons that people want to take their own life, the primary motive is to end intense emotional suffering.  The goal is not so much to take their own life, but rather to end the pain they are in.  Pain for which they see no other way out.

TO HELP A LOVED ONE IN SUICIDAL DISTRESS:
1)  UNLESS THEY ARE LITERALLY ON THE LEDGE, DO NOT TRY TO TALK A SUICIDAL PERSON OUT OF TAKING THEIR LIFE.
2)  MAKE GENUINE EFFORTS TO UNDERSTAND THEIR PAIN AND THEIR REASONS FOR CONSIDERING SUICIDE.
3)  YOU WILL THEN HAVE LIGHTENED THEIR BURDEN – THEY WILL NOT FEEL SO ALONE. 

WARNING SIGNS
•    Increased alcohol or drug use
•    Aggressive behavior
•    Dramatic mood swings
•    Impulsive or reckless behavior
•    Persistent and worsening trouble sleeping 
•    Feeling anxious or agitated
•    Feeling rage or anger
•    Engaging in risky activities
•    Withdrawal from friends, family, community
•    Feeling hopeless, trapped, or there’s no way out
•    Feeling that there is no reason to live
•    Collecting and saving pills
•    Buying a weapon
•    Giving away possessions
•    Paying off debts
•    Tying up loose ends, organizing personal papers 
•    Saying goodbye to friends and family

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDALITY:
1)Negative events become pervasive 
2)Self-Blame becomes pervasive 
3)Positive events are atypical 
4)Hopelessness is omnipresent
5)Powerlessness is omnipresent
6)Life has no possibilities 
7)There is no future to imagine
8)Death seems like source of relief 

GUIDELINES FOR TREATMENT:
•    Assessment for both suicidality and homicidality is continual  
•    Treatment is exquisitely sensitive, yet relaxed
•    Establish bond through joining, acceptance, and empathy
•    Allow patient to set pace and tone of the session
•    Bring initiative to session when necessary
•    Directly explore fantasy, ideation, attempts at suicide 
•    Approach “to be, or not to be” with neutral curiosity
•    Attempts at suicide occur when depression has lifted
•    Make verbal and/or written pact with patient about direct contact with you before taking suicidal actions

Suicidal behaviors are psychiatric emergency. If you or a loved one starts to show warning signs, seek immediate help and call 911.
 

Michael Levittan, Psychotherapist specializes in treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Spousal Abuse, Child Abuse in the greater Los Angeles area. He also works as an Expert Witness, Media Psychologist, and is currently in development to do his own Anger Management Reality TV Show.