Signs of Passive Suicidal Ideation
Suicide has become an increasingly widespread problem. It’s a leading cause of death in the United States, with nearly one suicide-related death every 11 minutes. The national suicide rate has never been higher, making it a pressing issue with a growing need for attention.
Some suicides really do come out of nowhere, and there is no prior indication that anything is wrong. Other times, there are subtle warning signs that are easy to overlook. Recognizing these early warning signs can ensure your loved ones get the help they need before it’s too late.
Before suicidal thoughts turn into actions, they start out as passive suicidal ideations. Although these suicidal ideations are described as passive, they’re still a serious indication that someone could be spiraling towards a tragic outcome.
What Is Passive Suicidal Ideation?
Passive suicidal ideation is when someone has thoughts and feelings about wanting to die, but they don’t have a plan in place. To put it simply, they’re vague thoughts of “not wanting to be here anymore”. These thoughts come from intense psychological distress that causes someone to feel like life isn’t with living or the world is better off without them.
Passive suicidal ideation is the precursor to active suicidal ideation. During active suicide ideation, someone will develop a plan for ending their own life. Active suicide ideation is the final stage before suicidal thoughts develop into suicide attempts.
Both forms of suicide ideation are serious and require immediate help.
Examples of Passive Suicidal Ideation
If someone feels like their life isn’t worth living or death can solve their problems, then they’re expressing passive suicidal ideations. Some of the common examples of passive suicidal ideation include:
- Frequently talking about death
- Wishing they were never born
- Wishing they don’t wake up in the morning
- Hoping something bad happens to them
- Thinking the world is better off without them
- Not wanting to die, but not wanting to live either
Unfortunately, it’s common for these examples of passive suicidal ideation to be overlooked. When someone expresses any indication that they don’t want to live anymore, it should be seen as a cry for help.
It’s common for someone’s mental health to suddenly get worse after a period of improvement. Read our related guide to discover the causes of mental health relapses.
Why Do People Have Passive Suicidal Ideations?
Passive suicidal ideations indicate that someone has started down a path that can eventually end in a suicide attempt. Sadly, some people never indicate that they have them in the first place. When someone intentionally hides their suicidal ideations, it’s called self-concealment.
Self-concealment is fairly common, and about 27% of suicide victims didn’t share their suicidal thoughts with a confidant. This makes it especially difficult to determine if someone is at risk for suicide or not. That being said, certain individuals are more prone to suicidal ideations than others.
Risk Factors for Passive Suicidal Ideations
Individuals that suffer from certain mental health conditions can make them more at risk for suicidal ideations. These mental health conditions can include:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Major depressive disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Substance addiction
Certain life events can cause intense psychological distress, which can also lead to suicidal ideation. These life events can include abuse, trauma, or loss of a loved one. Someone may also be more likely to develop suicidal ideations if they lack a support network, or they don’t have access to mental or physical healthcare.
Read our related article to discover the signs, symptoms, and long-term effects of trauma.
Signs of Passive Suicidal Ideation
The warning signs of passive suicidal ideation can be easily mistaken for general feelings of depression, anxiety, or hoplessness. Although these warning signs indicate some level of psychological turmoil, they often allude to a deeper, more severe issue.
Some of the common signs of passive suicidal ideation include:
- Feelings of hopelessness, desolation, or apathy
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Frequent thoughts of death or violence
- Intense emotional pain
Unusual risky behaviors are another warning sign that someone may have passive suicidal ideations. Some of the risky behaviors to look for include reckless driving, substance abuse, and self-harm.
What to Do When You Have Passive Suicidal Thoughts
If you or someone you know is experiencing passive suicidal ideation, then immediate professional help is needed. Mental health professionals can provide individuals with effective psychiatric services and helpful medications.
Therapy Styles for Suicidal Ideation
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify the harmful thoughts that can lead to suicidal ideations. After identifying these harmful thoughts, CBT teaches someone how to replace them with new, healthier ones.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) teaches individuals how to regulate their emotions and helps them understand life is worth living. DBT also helps people stay grounded in reality with a variety of mindfulness techniques.
Medications for Suicidal Ideation
In addition to therapy, someone may also be prescribed antidepressant or antianxiety medications. These medications are commonly administered to treat a variety of harmful mental health symptoms that could lead to suicidal thoughts.
Although therapy and medication are helpful on their own, they are most effective when they work together. Therapy teaches techniques that reverse harmful thoughts and behaviors, while medication helps balance mental and emotional irregularities.
Read our related article for additional information on the benefits of antidepressants.
Overcome Suicidal Ideation at Sequioia Behavioral Health
At Sequoia Behavioral Health, our clinically-trained professionals provide the support and resources you need to achieve mental wellness and overcome your troubling thoughts. We provide a variety of treatment programs, allowing you to receive the appropriate treatment for your mental health journey.
If you or a loved one is suffering from suicidal ideation, reach out to one of our mental health experts today.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts and need immediate assistance, dial 988 to reach the suicide hotline. The 988 Lifeline is available 24/7, and they provide free and confidential support for individuals in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis.