Treatment of suicidal conditions. Suicidal thoughts: what to do?

Independent struggle

To organize the most effective treatment of suicidal conditions, it is recommended to use the following methods:

1. Organize communication with new people. To radically change your lifestyle, it is important not only to eradicate bad habits, but also to expand your social circle. A new and fresh look at old problems will help improve your psychological state, as well as jointly organize an effective fight
2. A change of scenery. Traveling is one of the best types of self-therapy, allowing you to get new positive emotions, start an affair or communicate with new people.
3. Change your place of work. It is optimal to resolve this issue without material losses. Sometimes a person cannot really assess his own abilities and does not continue to develop himself
4. Change your place of residence. To start life with a new leaf, changing the city, region, region will also be beneficial. Although a person may experience stress as a result of moving, such a decision often has a beneficial effect
5. Self-hypnosis. This will require internal moral strength to set the right attitude for yourself. Training experts recommend fighting such emotional manifestations as anger, cruelty, and hatred.

However, such methods are, as a rule, additional methods that support the work of specialists or medication treatment.

Use of medications

If a person is unable to cope independently with the manifestations of a suicidal state, the following groups of drugs can be used:

1. Antidepressants. With their help, it is possible to block reactions to negative factors. Before choosing medications on your own, it is imperative to consult with a specialist. The most commonly used drugs are Afobazole and Mirtazapine.
2. Sedative group of drugs. Some medicines are made on an organic basis using medicinal herbs, while others are made using synthetic substances. For example, among the most popular are Glycine, Dormiplanta
3. Complex of vitamins. Often, suicidal thoughts arise as a result of a lack of important substances for the body. To replenish it, it is advisable to use Complivit, Daily Formula
4. Means of traditional therapy. A tincture based on peony will be effective. Therapy involves a weekly course, and adding 5 drops per day is sufficient.

Psychotherapy is an equally effective way to deal with suicidal thoughts. First of all, a specialist will help you find out what causes the condition. Depending on the severity, hypnosis, therapeutic techniques, and individual conversations may be used. As a rule, several tests are first used to determine the development of the pathological condition.

Study of motives for suicide

As will be shown in the next chapter, therapeutic work with suicidal desires begins during the first conversation between the therapist and the patient. The therapist is faced with the task of understanding what motives guide a patient who has attempted suicide or is harboring similar plans.

As our observations show, depressed patients most often justify their suicidal desires with two categories of motives. Some decide to commit suicide, wanting to end their suffering and seeing suicide as the only possible way to get rid of painful tension. These patients usually talk about the “unbearability” and “meaninglessness” of life, and that they are tired of the “constant struggle.”

Other patients admit that they took this step in the hope of getting what they wanted from others. Someone is trying in this way to return the love or affection of an emotionally significant person, others want to show loved ones that they need help, others simply want to go to the hospital to escape from the “unbearable” situation. Quite often, the simultaneous presence of both motives is observed, namely the motive of escape from life and manipulative aspirations. In patients with predominantly manipulative motivation, suicide attempts are usually less severe.

Of the two hundred patients we examined who were hospitalized due to a suicide attempt, 111 (56%) cited reasons belonging to the category of escape/disposal as an explanation, and only 13% explained the suicide attempt as a desire to influence others and/or change an unfavorable situation. The remaining patients (31%) showed one or another combination of motives. In patients with high rates of hopelessness and depression, the motives of “escape from life” and “getting rid of life” prevailed, and patients with low rates on these scales explained the suicide attempt mainly with manipulative motives (Kovacs, Beck, Weissman, 1975).

The first and most important step in working with a suicidal patient is to enter into his world. The direction and methods of therapeutic intervention will depend on what motives underlie the patient's suicidal behavior. If, for example, a patient is looking for relief from a painful situation, the key point of intervention will be to work with feelings of hopelessness and negative expectations. If it is discovered that the patient has real reasons for despair, for example he is on the verge of poverty or suffers from a serious illness, social measures must be taken. But if pervasive negative expectations and feelings of hopelessness arise from distorted or pathological self-perceptions and perceptions of the world, then therapeutic efforts should be aimed at correcting the patient's misconceptions and irrational beliefs.

In cases where a suicide attempt was made with the aim of influencing others, it is necessary to understand what specific desires prompted the person to act. Did he want to achieve love and understanding from others, or did he want to take revenge on someone, or did he try to express his hostile feelings in this way? Is this due to the decline of conventional methods of interpersonal communication? If it is discovered that a suicide attempt is caused by insufficient development of communication and interpersonal skills, it is necessary to show the patient that his methods of interpersonal communication are maladaptive in nature, and teach him more adaptive ways of communicating with people.

The therapist must be able to “get used to” the patient’s inner world, must be able to “feel” his despair and hopelessness. The benefit of this type of empathy is that it allows therapeutic strategies to be tailored to the patient's needs and makes the patient feel "understood" by the therapist. The therapist must “get used to” the patient’s way of thinking so much as not to consider his suicidal intentions “abnormal.” On the contrary, he must understand and accept the logic of suicidal cause-and-effect relationships. And only after this can he, together with the patient, begin to work on finding errors in the premises and conclusions that underlie the suicidal impulse.

Suicide attempt and consequences

Before suicide, the patient has corresponding thoughts. He is preparing to commit suicide. That is why such people give away their things and put all their affairs in order. They say goodbye to their friends as if it was the last time. The patient considers his actions and chooses a method of suicide. Depending on it, medicines are purchased, weapons or poisonous substances are purchased.

Morally a person is ready for suicide. Therefore, if he survives a suicide attempt, he remains alive, then this leads to terrible depression. It seems to a person that he is so insignificant that he could not even commit suicide. In addition, the patient feels guilty. If help is not provided to him in a timely manner, he will repeat his suicide attempt.

After suicide

In order to reduce the risk of a second suicide attempt, it is recommended to ensure the full support of family, friends and loved ones. Such patients are strictly prohibited from taking alcoholic beverages and drugs. Psychotherapists and relatives of the patient must do everything possible to ensure that the patient has contact with the outside world.

It is recommended to provide the patient with adequate sleep, the duration of which is 7-8 hours. Good results come from attending a self-help and support group. A person’s loved ones should hide all weapons, pills and other items that could cause harm to themselves. Relatives need to seek help from professionals who will develop an effective therapeutic regimen.

Suicidal thoughts

Suicidal thoughts appear in people during stressful situations and depression. A person has thoughts that he is in a situation from which there is no way out. A person is isolated from the outside world and does not make contact even with family and friends. When suicidal thoughts arise, people engage in risky behavior. They are careless when driving a car or operating a variety of serious machinery.

With suicidal thoughts, a person never has positive emotions. The patient strongly repents and develops pronounced self-criticism. With pathology, the appearance of depression, panic attacks, and mental disorders is observed. With suicidal thoughts, the patient's personality traits change. Such people are constantly excited, they are diagnosed with increased anxiety. With pathology, frequent mood swings are observed. The person is overly preoccupied with the topic of death. He experiences emotional pain that he cannot tolerate.

Suicidal behavior in depression

Suicidal attempts are one of the most dangerous consequences of depression, manic-depressive psychosis, and schizophrenia. According to statistics, from 40 to 60% of all suicides on the planet are carried out by patients with depression.

Men commit suicide 4 times more often than women. This is due to psychological characteristics. If women talk more about their fears and negative emotions, and try to share them with others, then men, on the contrary, are not inclined to tell anyone about their experiences. As a result, suicidal thoughts and tendencies in men remain unrecognized. And they learn about them only when nothing can be returned. In addition, men are more likely than women to abuse alcohol, so they have a higher risk of developing alcoholic depression and suicide on this basis.

The most predisposing time for suicide is the early morning hours. This is due to hormonal fluctuations occurring at this time. Most people who attempt suicide in the early morning hours suffered from insomnia all night, sad and painful thoughts filled their minds, and in order to get rid of all this they decide to commit suicide.

Why do people with depression attempt suicide?

With depression, in addition to a decrease in mood, symptoms such as a feeling of self-doubt, decreased self-esteem, and a gloomy and pessimistic vision of the future appear. People with depression may also experience persistent thoughts about their own worthlessness. Even the successes achieved during life against the background of depression seem unimpressive.

The patient may consider himself guilty of almost all mortal sins. Against the background of illness, a person suffering from depression begins to think that he himself is the source of misfortune for his family and friends, and his death will free his relatives from the heavy burden of caring for him.

Depression and suicide are closely related. Ideas of a meaningless existence that are common in depression can contribute to thoughts of suicide. At first, thoughts appear in the minds of patients about how good it would be for everyone if an accident happened to them. Gradually, an irresistible attraction to suicide and obsessive ideas about committing suicide join in.

The risk of suicide is especially high when depression is combined with a chronic somatic or neurological disease (stroke, diabetes, cancer, HIV infection ). Quite often, such people cannot lead a normal life and are forced to cause a lot of inconvenience to loved ones and burden them. So thoughts come to mind on how to make everyone happy...

Suicide can also occur as a result of the development of reactive depression; a sudden life catastrophe literally shatters a person’s life into smithereens, and instead of starting all over again, overcoming the difficulties that have arisen, the person chooses to take a step into nowhere.

Attempts to commit suicide are a common occurrence among creative people suffering from manic-depressive psychosis or dysthymia. At the peak of high spirits, such people create masterpieces, become famous, and when a depressive streak sets in in their lives, they can attempt suicide.

When is the risk of suicide highest for depression?

The likelihood of committing a suicide attempt is not the same for all patients with depression. Against the background of a mild course of the disease, even if suicidal thoughts appear, in most cases they do not turn into actions.

The risk of suicide attempts is also reduced during severe bouts of depression. Although thoughts of suicide quite often haunt patients with severe depressive disorders, severe motor retardation and inability to do anything act as a defense mechanism that prevents a person from committing suicide.

The most dangerous periods in terms of suicide attempts are the periods of “entry” and “exit” from severe or moderate depression.

As depression progresses (the onset of severe depressive disorder), patients are haunted by obsessive thoughts about their own worthlessness, suicidal thoughts, and in order to punish themselves, not to disturb others, and simply not seeing any prospects for the future, such people can commit suicidal acts. As depression progresses, motor retardation does not yet reach the same severity as at the peak of a depressive disorder, and patients with depression may attempt suicide.

When patients with depressive disorder start taking antidepressants, the effect of treatment does not occur immediately. Initially, some disinhibition of the patients occurs, motor activity appears, although a negative assessment of oneself and suicidal thoughts still persist. That is why, during the period of recovery from depression (in the first two weeks from the start of treatment), many patients are capable of committing suicide.

What manifestations help to suspect suicidal thoughts and suicidal tendencies?

You can suspect the presence of suicidal thoughts, suicidal tendencies in patients with depression and not only by the following signs:

Suicidal thoughts can slip into statements - “if only death would take me sooner”, “I don’t want to live, I want to take my own life once and for all.”

Constant conversations about the futility of existence, about one’s own helplessness, and burdening others with their problems.

Progression of depression - loss of usual interests, insomnia, severe melancholy.

Some people who carefully plan suicide begin to put things in order in advance - they draw up a will, finish a book (finish a report) so that after their departure there are no unresolved issues.

If a person does not spontaneously commit suicide, but systematically prepares for this, then he can say goodbye to loved ones - call them, write. Sometimes it is a sudden call that helps loved ones understand that something is wrong in the behavior of a person with depression, that he is preparing for something fatal.

How to prevent suicide attempts if you are depressed?

In many cases, you can suspect the presence of suicidal thoughts in a person suffering from depression in advance. To do this, you need to regularly communicate with a patient with depression, take an interest in his affairs, and express your support to him. After all, people with depression are often pushed to commit suicide by loved ones. And not even themselves, but their behavior, indifference, absorption in their own worries.

If the following statements apply to your friends, then you should seek help from a specialist psychologist, psychotherapist or psychiatrist.

A person’s appetite has changed, he is rapidly losing weight or gaining weight. He feels constant anxiety. He withdraws from friends and family. He can't concentrate. What he used to really like no longer interests or pleases him. He is tormented by a feeling of hopelessness or guilt. His mood and behavior changed dramatically: before he was very calm, but now he is extremely excited; Previously, he loved to be in companies, but now he avoids all communication.

For the most part, people who are depressed or thinking about suicide do not talk and do not want to talk about their feelings. They feel unwanted. They have lost hope and do not express their emotions, believing that their experiences will fall on the shoulders of others. Some are afraid of being ridiculed. This is understandable because those who talk about suicide are often not taken seriously or what they say falls on deaf ears. Such a reaction can lead to irreparable consequences. Therefore, if your acquaintance, friend or relative brings up such a topic, you need to take it seriously and find time for a deep and compassionate conversation.

It is necessary to convince this person that he has someone to turn to. That relatives, friends, a psychologist are undoubtedly ready to listen to him. Often the opportunity to talk can ease the pain, and although it is difficult to start such a conversation, it is still necessary. Also, one should not lecture and point out all the reasons why a person is obliged to live. Instead, you need to listen more and try to convince him that depression and suicidal tendencies are treatable.

But the most terrible and, probably, stupid thing, in my opinion, is the suicide of young people who have not yet faced truly serious problems, but who know how to exaggerate the magnitude of their, sometimes far-fetched, grief.

Therefore, let's be more attentive to each other, because this is important, let's not be so callous and selfish? Maybe we should listen to the worries and problems of people close to us? After all, suicide is one of the consequences of depression that can be noticed and prevented in advance. And our helpers in the fight against suicidal tendencies are attention, support and love.

For help, advice and adequate treatment of depression, neuroses, suicidal thoughts, contact a psychiatrist. Do not be afraid of condemnation, all treatment takes place on an anonymous basis, without registration, since these conditions are considered borderline in psychiatry. You will be surprised how effective this is and you will smile about your experiences in the past.

Treatment of child suicide anonymously in Moscow

For suicidal tendencies in children, it is recommended to seek professional medical help. By providing timely psychological assistance, suicide is prevented and the child’s life is preserved. The Moscow clinic employs highly qualified psychologists and psychotherapists who initially diagnose the child’s condition. Thanks to the use of special techniques, they find out the causes of suicidal tendencies and develop an effective treatment regimen that is aimed at eliminating them.

During the diagnosis, neuropsychic disorders, mental disorders and psychosomatic diseases are determined, against the background of which suicidal thoughts appear. Their treatment requires taking medications and using psychocorrection.

Treatment of children is carried out in a hospital setting, which eliminates the possibility of suicide. The clinic employs qualified and communicative staff who provide 24-hour patient support. To treat a child, universal psychocorrectional techniques, individual and group lessons are used. If necessary, drug therapy is used. The choice of treatment method is made by the doctor in accordance with the individual characteristics of the patient and the severity of the pathology.

Treatment of persons who have attempted suicide in hospital

If a patient has attempted suicide, the hospital provides him with step-by-step psychological assistance. Initially, the psychotherapist establishes emotional contact with the patient and gives him the opportunity to talk about everything that is on his soul. After suicide, most patients talk about their failures, after which they calm down.

At the next stage, the specialist determines the reasons for suicide, which led to a deep psychological crisis. At this stage, the psychotherapist does everything possible to distract the patient from thoughts of suicide. He helps a person find a way out of the situation. For serious psychological problems and severe emotional states, drug therapy is used along with psychocorrectional techniques. After the patient realizes that he can overcome all the problems in life, the psychotherapist develops measures that will prevent a crisis situation.

Vaccination against stress

Life situations that push some people to suicide, as a rule, do not contain anything unusual. Why do some people, when faced with a problem, begin to think about suicide, while others try to solve the problem or simply come to terms with an unpleasant situation? Unfortunately, we do not know the exact answer to this question, but data from clinical studies allow us to make some assumptions.

Suicidal individuals tend to exaggerate the scope and depth of problems, as a result of which even the most ordinary, insignificant difficulties are perceived by them as insoluble problems. In addition, these people are extremely unsure of their own abilities and consider themselves unable to cope with difficulties. Finally, they tend to project the resulting picture of their own failure into the future. In other words, they demonstrate all the signs of the cognitive triad, namely an exaggerated negative perception of the world, themselves and their future.

Another distinctive feature of the suicidal patient is that for him death is an acceptable and even desirable way of getting rid of difficulties (“If I died, I would not be suffering from these problems now”). The average individual, not having a ready solution to a problem, although upset, is generally quite tolerant of the lack of certainty: “Maybe I will solve the problem, maybe I won’t.” Moreover, he is trying out different solutions. Another thing is a suicidal individual. This one is extremely bad at handling uncertain situations. If he cannot immediately solve the problem, a chain of future troubles and defeats is drawn to him, and the idea flashes in his mind: “The only way out is death.”

The desire for death generated by this idea can reach fantastic proportions. For such a person, suicide is a kind of drug, the only possible and desirable form of “deliverance.”

It is suicidal tendencies that should be the main target of therapy. One promising therapeutic approach is to teach the patient to a) think of other ways to solve the problem and b) to distract himself from suicidal desires using various distraction techniques (Meichenaum, 1977). Cognitive rehearsal can also be used with suicidal patients. The patient must: 1. Imagine himself in a hopeless situation. 2. Feel despair and suicidal impulses. 3. Try to develop possible solutions to the problem, despite the pressure of suicidal desires.

After this, the patient is given the task of trying out this technique in real life situations. He must immerse himself in an unpleasant situation (for example, a situation of confrontation with a spouse) and then try to find realistic ways to solve the problems that arise. Much the same principles underlie the approach taken by Dr Kate Houghton at Oxford. It prepares the patient for future crisis situations in the following ways. The therapist presents the patient with a hypothetical but absolutely realistic situation that could provoke a crisis, a situation similar to those in which the patient has found himself in the past, and then they explore in detail what course of action should be taken in this situation.

Forced treatment

In accordance with the current legislation of our country, compulsory treatment is allowed after a suicide attempt. if relatives try, they are advised to call an ambulance. The patient is hospitalized in a hospital. He is undergoing treatment in the psychosomatic department.

During the first few days, relatives and friends are not allowed to see the patient. After the patient regains consciousness and recovers a little, he can be visited in the presence of a medical professional. First, the doctor gives recommendations to relatives on how to behave with the patient. After a certain time, the clinic staff will establish contact with the patient and instill in him a desire for life, thanks to the use of special psychotherapeutic techniques. Compulsory treatment after suicide is recommended to be carried out without fail, which will eliminate the possibility of relapse.

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