Common Suicidal Thoughts | What Are Suicidal Thoughts?

What Are Suicidal Thoughts?

Suicidal thoughts, also known as suicidal ideation, are thoughts about how to kill oneself, which can range from a detailed plan to a fleeting consideration and does not include the final act of killing oneself.

The majority of people who experience suicidal ideation do not carry it through. Some may, however, make suicide attempts. Some suicidal ideations can be deliberately planned to fail or be discovered, while others might be carefully planned to succeed.

According to a Finnish study, over one fifth of people who actually died by suicide had discussed their aim with a doctor or other health care professional during their last session.

How common is suicide?

USA - according to the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), there are about 30,000 completed suicides in America each year, an annual incidence of 0.01%. 80% of suicides are among males.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year olds. Twenty per cent of all suicides are among this age group.

United Kingdom - according to the NHS (National Health Service), during the last 20 years suicide rates in the UK have been steadily dropping. In 2006, there were 5,554 completed suicides among people aged at least 15 years.

Roughly 140,000 people are hospitalized annually in England and Wales after suicide attempts. Three-quarters of all UK suicides are in males, with the highest risk among those aged 25 to 34 years, followed by 35 to 44 years. After accidental death, suicide is the second most common cause of death in males aged 15 to 44.

The NHS adds that according to its research, nearly all completed suicides are among individuals with a mental illness, for example, depression. Approximately ten to fifteen per cent of patients with bipolar disorder die prematurely due to suicide. About 4% of individuals with schizophrenia die by suicide, usually not long after the onset of symptoms.

Suicidal ideation is a feeling people may have when they are no longer able to cope with an overwhelming situation, which could be financial, the death of somebody they love, breaking up, or a devastating/debilitating illness.

There may be a feeling of bleakness and an erroneous assumption that taking their own life might be the answer. If the individual's mental state is heightened enough, suicide may seem to be the only exit.

Experts believe there may be a genetic factor associated with a higher risk of suicide. Individuals with suicidal thoughts, or those who have taken their own lives tend to have a family history of suicide or suicidal thoughts.

The most common situations or life events that might cause suicidal thoughts are grief, sexual abuse, financial problems, remorse, rejection, relationship breakup and unemployment.