Understanding suicidal behaviour – Part two

» Continued from last week

7. The common cognitive state in suicide is constriction.

Suicidal thoughts and plans are frequently associated with a rigid and narrow pattern of cognitive activity that is comparable to tunnel vision; they are more times than none able to see anything else but the problem. The suicidal person is temporarily unable or unwilling to engage in effective problem-solving behaviors and may see his or her options in extreme, all or nothing terms. As Shneidman points out, slogans such as “death before dishonor” may have a certain emotional appeal, but they do not provide a sensible basis for making decisions about how to lead your life.

8. The common action in suicide is escape.

Suicide provides a definitive way to escape from intolerable circumstances, which include painful self-awareness (Baumeister, 1990). The idea that when I am dead, I am done appears to be quite appealing. But from a spiritual standpoint, suicide can be likened to jumping from the frying pan into the fire, as taking one’s life is an ultimate sinful act.

9. The common interpersonal act in suicide is communication of intention.

One of the most harmful myths about suicide is the notion that people who really want to kill themselves don’t talk about it. Most people who commit suicide have told other people about their plans. Many have made previous suicidal gestures. Schneidman estimates that in at least 80 percent of completed suicides, the people provide verbal or behavioral clues that indicate clearly their lethal intentions. No threat of suicide should be taken lightly, as even if the intent was not meant; it is still suggestive of a cry for help; and something in the person’s life needs to be addressed.

10. The common consistency in suicide is with life-long coping patterns.

During crisis that precipitates suicidal thoughts, people generally employ the same response patterns that they have used throughout their lives. For example, people who have refused to ask for help in the past are likely to persist in that pattern, increasing their sense of isolation. It is therefore important to pay attention to any personality changes in persons.

Suicide Warning Signs:

» Excessive sadness or moodiness

» Sense of hopelessness

» Sleep problems

» Sudden Calmness after a period of depression or moodiness

» Withdrawal or isolation

» Changes in personality and or appearance

» Dangerous self harming behavior(excessive drinking; drug use; self-mutilation)

» Recent trauma or life crisis (e.g. death of a loved one)

» Making preparations for death

» Threatening suicide

Can Suicide BePrevented?

Suicide can’t be prevented with certainty, but risks can often be reduced with timely intervention. Research suggests that the best way to prevent suicide is to know the risk factors, be alert to the signs of depressionand other mental disorders, recognize the warning signs for suicide, and intervene before the person can complete the process of self-destruction.

Dr Jozelle Miller Health Psychologist Milton Cato Memorial Hospital