passive suicidal ideation. it’s on the lower end of the spectrum of ideation, but still something to talk to someone about if you can.
this post was submitted on 27 Sep 2023
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Mental Health
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For anyone in the US who needs it, the Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached by call or text at 988. You don't have to be having active suicidal ideation to call them. Passive suicidal ideation is often a warning sign or an attempt at coping when life is too much, and they can get you connected with resources near you.
There are also Warmlines available in most states, which are for when you need someone to talk to, but may have passive suicidal ideation (rather than active), just want to get some things off your chest, or just want to talk to another human being for a while.
Thank you for actually mentioning the existence of warmlines. They are not commonly mentioned for people. There are also specific resources and call lines for an individual depending on their history, such as for those who require ASL or those who are trans.
You can also call them for advice on how to help someone else who is struggling.
Are there classifications of different suicidal ideations? I didn't find much info. Do you know where I can read more about it?
Yes. I'm not a mental healthcare provider and oddly there seems to be a little bit of variance depending on who you're talking to, but I think the best way to separate the two is this (SI = suicidal ideation):
- Passive SI: wanting something to end your life; examples:
- "I wish I was dead"
- "I want to go to sleep forever"
- "I wish I could just disappear"
- "It would be nice if I got into a car accident or something and it killed me"
- Active SI: thoughts of dying from your own actions, including:
- planning the act
- making accommodations for others when you're gone
- "daring" or testing yourself to see if you'll actually do it
- speculating on a time and place
- giving away personal belongings
- fearing that you might do it
If you're having SI of any type the best thing you can do is see a therapist, but obviously if it is dire or an emergency then a hospital is the answer. There are other treatment options at levels in between seeing a therapist weekly and going to a hospital that many people don't know about (and a a surprising number of doctors don't tell you about) that insurance should cover.
I have a lot of personal experience with this stuff and I'm happy to answer anything anyone is curious about.
Thank you. Unfortunatelly, I have personal experience with thos stuff too. It's always nice to be able to understand ourselves a bit better. I wish the theme was more studied and had less stigma.
I saw a comic that covered this. This is just one person's experience, but maybe it could help you understand your own situation better, and maybe help the people around you help you?
I'm going to print this out and carry it like a pain scale for working the ER when I'm done with medical school or make something like it. Thank you for sharing this.
It might be a little overwhelming to present this as new information to someone, especially if they're suicidally depressed. I think triaging based on the passive/active scale is a decent way to assess danger while remaining simple. I don't have a strong sense of privacy for myself but I would imagine many people aren't super comfortable talking deeply about it to many people they just met. I would imagine as a HCP you could think of it like a pelvic exam. The fewer people who do their own on the patient, the better, because it's not fun for the recipient. I say that as a former paramedic and a... well-traveled... mental health patient.
Absolutely. The idea behind the pain scale is to help someone quantify a very subjective thing. As a physician, I would keep it on hand to offer to someone if they were having trouble putting thoughts into words or if they weren't able to quantify their suicidality.
Thank you for being understanding of these kinds of struggles.
I hope you are able to keep your compassion. Bless you.
This is really helpful. I'm currently sitting between 5 and 6 right now and seeing this has helped me realise it. Lucky to have a therapy appointment tomorrow.
I would ask your therapist about considering a PHP (don't know if this is US-specific). I won't define it myself because I'm sure your therapist can do better. It's a big decision but it is worth the time. To be honest, they really should teach the same stuff in school.
6-8 past few days
Thank you for sharing this. It'll be so helpful for describing to my partner where I'm at.
Hey, I think I might to be able to provide some into this insight of yours but before doing so I must let you know that I am not a medical professional and I highly advise you to seek help. Everyone feels like this at some point but when feeling like this it is about what you do or don't do. That being said here is a site that might help you.
https://findahelpline.com/i/iasp
I can't say I know exactly how you feel because I'm not you however what I can do is reflect upon what you said. For me I have felt as if life feels like Groundhog Day sometimes.
Everything is in a loop for better or worse and it seems as if the next day will be more of the same. That's how I used to feel, however sometimes one needs to slow down and focus on the little things. It is quite easy to get stuck in an existential crisis, everyone does and that's okay. The thing that matters or at least mattered to me is how I moved forward.
I'll be honest, I am quite the nihilist and in some ways see life as a pointless journey. However, there is another side to it. Knowing that there might not be any point to anything is quite liberating. I am free to do as I please and take control of my life without being concerned about what others may think or how I am perceived.
Ask yourself: are you burned out or do you need a change in your life? Those are two important things to consider. What you say is a bit of a paradox because you can't have one without the other. I too wish there was a pause button on life, but the only pause I get is when I sleep, and I don't do much of that.
If you can, get a pen and paper and write down your concerns. Then categorize them and look at one at a time. Identify each thing to try and find your center so you don't feel trapped. Maybe mix things up if you are in a rut.
Just remember, we are all here for you. Even if we aren't all medical experts, we are more than willing to listen and talk. Because in this world, most people just want to talk about their problems and not listen to the issues and struggles of others. So you are in the right place. If you need anything at all, PM one of our mods or make a post and we will be here for you!
There are a number of resources pinned on this community for those in need of extra help.
Wanderlust.