Suicide is Never an Option

 Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide

Suicide caused by untreated depression is the number one cause
for suicide. You are not depressed when you feel sad for a day or two;
you are depressed when you experience a prolonged period of sadness that
interferes with your ability to function. Depression occurs because of an
imbalance of chemicals in the brain. It is an illness. And it is highly treatable.

Unfortunately, many people do not receive treatment for depression, putting
some are at risk for suicide. If you or have some of these symptoms below,
please seek help immediately:

*Feeling sad for two or more weeks Feeling lethargic — feeling like you have
no energy
*Unable to concentrate
* Sleeping too much or too little Eating too much or too little
*Feeling worthless
*Feeling hopeless Feeling helpless
*Feeling negative or pessimisstic
*Losing interest in activities that you previously enjoyed Crying frequently
*Withdrawing from others
*Neglecting personal appearance
*Feeling angry
*Feeling guilty Unable to think clearly Unable to make decisions

Major depression is when a person has five or more symptoms of depression
for at least 2 weeks. These symptoms include feeling sad, hopeless, worthless,
or pessimistic. In addition, people with major depression often have behavior
changes, such as new eating and sleeping patterns.

Depression can be treated in a variety of ways, particularly with medications
and counseling. Most people benefit from a combination of the two treatments.
Some studies have shown that antidepressant drug therapy combined with
psychotherapy has better results than either therapy alone.

Medications include tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors,
selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and some newer antidepressant
drugs. Although antidepressant medications can be very effective, some may not
be appropriate for everyone. For example, in 2007, the FDA proposed that all
antidepressant medicines should warn of the risk of suicidal behavior in young
adults ages 18 – 24 years.

If you are not depressed but know someone who is, be a friend and assist them in
getting help.

Listen to BlogTalk Radio show here

Suicide Warning Signs:

·       Appearing depressed or sad most of the time.

·       Talking or writing about death or suicide.

·       Withdrawing from family and friends.

·       Feeling hopeless.

·       Feeling helpless.

·       Feeling strong anger or rage.

·       Feeling trapped — like there is no way out of a situation.

·       Experiencing dramatic mood changes.

·       Abusing drugs or alcohol.

·       Exhibiting a change in personality.

·       Acting impulsively.

·       Losing interest in most activities.

·       Experiencing a change in sleeping habits.

·       Experiencing a change in eating habits.

·       Losing interest in most activities.

·       Performing poorly at work or in school.

·       Giving away prized possessions.

·       Writing a will.

·       Feeling excessive guilt or shame.

·       Acting recklessly.

 It should be noted that some people who die by suicide do not show
any suicide warning signs.

Causes

The exact cause of depression is not known. Many researchers believe
 it is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain, which may be hereditary
 or caused by events in a person's life.Some types of depression seem to
 run in families, but depression can also occur in people who have no family
history of the illness. Stressful life changes or events can trigger depression
 in some people. Usually, a combination of factors is involved.

Men and women of all ages, races, and economic levels can have depression.
 It occurs more often in women. Women are especially vulnerable to depression
 after giving birth. This is a result of hormonal and physical changes. Although
 new mothers commonly experience temporary "blues," depression that lasts
longer than 2 – 3 weeks is not normal and requires treatment.

When to get Help?

Call 911, a suicide hotline, or get safely to a nearby emergency room
if you have thoughts of suicide, a suicidal plan, or thoughts of harming
yourself or others.

Call your doctor right away if:

  • You hear voices that are not there.
  • You have frequent crying spells with little or no provocation.
  • You have had feelings of depression that disrupt work, school,
    or family life for longer than 2 weeks.
  • You think that one of your current medications may be making
    you feel depressed. DO NOT change or stop any medications
    without consulting your doctor.
  • You believe that you should cut back on drinking, a family
    member or friend has asked you to cut back, you feel guilty
    about the amount of alcohol you drink, or you drink alcohol
    first thing in the morning

 

 
Angela is a nurse that has worked for 22 years in the same state funded
hospital assisting some clients that others might refuse to treat. She works
in the psychiatric ward.

At 5' 7" tall many of the patients she treats come in shackles and tower over
here, but  this power packed woman is able to release peace into a chaotic
environment.

Listen in as she shares weekly some of the events that she has experienced, learning
to love those who others have forsaken and tips on how to bring peace to your own life.

She also runs her own company on the side teaching other nurses how
to bring passion into their role at work. Offering alternative health insights,
out of the box remedies for speaking to people and more….
Angela's blogtalk radio show is laser sharp for today's world!

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6 thoughts on “Suicide is Never an Option”

  1. Cathy Rawls Marklin July 5 at 6:59pm
    Hi Angela. My son just lost a very close friend to suicide. He was buried today. They have known each other entire life…. he hung himself right around the corner from me. It's so sad. I wish he would have asked for help, or talked to someone.
  2. No kidding…….just had a friend commit suicide Angela. The last time he visited us, he mentioned commiting suicide in the manner he did it but it didn't register with Jim or me because we just couldn't imagine him doing something like that. Wish we had now though…………there is a tremendous guilt involved with the… what I consider "selfish" act of suicide.

  3. Some suicidal people never mention it at all. They don't want to take the chance that someone will "figure it out" and stop them. They plan quietly (in anguish, BTW) try to figure out the most logical way of doing the deed. To them, just seems like the most logical thing to do. Sadly, if they ask for help, their loved ones could steer them in the right direction for help they would know how truly they are loved and cherished. They think they are beyond any help, and they just want their pain to stop. It is a truly selfish act in many ways. They are only thinking about their abyss, and it does not occur to them that someone could "fix" what is causing their pain. If most were in their "right mind" so to speak, they would never intentionlly inflict such pain and guilt on their loved ones.

  4. Pingback: How a Nurse has to handle a Suicide Event | Mental Happiness Supporting Nurses w/ Angela Brooks

  5. Greg Reed

    Great article on a difficult and touchy topic. The topic is very close to me as my daughter has made several attempts. Thankfully she has ‘failed’ but the worry lives with me everyday. She is getting treatment to beat this.

  6. I am sorry to hear that – be there and let her know she is worth the world to you. Make sure she knows

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