Suicidal Ideation Treatment Lake Forest

MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Suicidal ideation is a disorder where a person becomes preoccupied with the idea of suicide. People suffering from suicidal ideation are often thinking about the various ways they would commit suicide and what life would be like if they ceased to exist. They may also replay the fantasy of suicidal acts over and over again in their head.

Two forms of suicidal ideation include active and passive forms. On one hand, you have passive suicidal ideation where an individual might think or imagine taking their life but take no action in doing so. On the other, active suicidal ideation occurs when an individual is not only thinking about committing suicide but planning it as well.

SoCal Empowered is prepared to help you with your mental health disorder today. If you or someone you love is battling suicidal ideation, it is crucial to know the warning signs and understand your treatment options. Contact us today to learn more about Suicidal Ideation Treatment in Lake Forest.

Understanding Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideation is a complex disorder. In a strict and straightforward sense, the condition is characterized by an individual wanting to end their own life and enduring constant thoughts about self-harm. However, suicidal ideation has a binary: passive suicidal ideation and active suicidal ideation. These two ideations differ in intentions and feelings.

Passive suicidal ideation occurs in people who are distracted with the wish that they were dead or that they could die. The significant distinction between passive and active suicidal ideation is that people with passive suicidal ideation don’t make or keep any plans to follow through with the act. Despite the lack of methods to harm oneself, passive suicidal ideation is still serious and harmful.

Individuals with active/acute suicidal ideation entertain intrusive thoughts about suicide, make plans to carry out the act and have the intent to follow through on those plans.

Symptoms of Suicidal Ideation

Some people with suicidal ideation become master concealers and try to hide their desires. However, you can keep a vigilant eye out for these behavioral symptoms of suicidal ideation if you suspect you or a loved one may be at risk.

Symptoms to look out for in a person who is at risk of suicide:
Vocalizing that you wish you had not been born, life has no meaning, or that your friends or family would be better off without you
Feeling hopeless and joyless
Avoiding social contact and isolating yourself from people and activities you once enjoyed
An increase in substance use and abuse
Taking harmful risks
Getting upset or suicidal over small inconveniences
Violent mood swings, rage, anger, and irritability
Accessing accessories to suicide: weapons, drugs
Giving away possessions and treating every interaction like it could be the last
Researching ways to kill yourself

Who Is At Risk?

Though anyone can suffer from suicidal ideation, many different factors can increase the risk. Suicidal ideation can run in families. People who have lost close relations to suicide may be more inclined to compulsively consider and complete the act.

Suicidal ideation can also be cyclical, striking when you’re feeling out of control of your circumstances and hopeless. Relationship troubles, trauma, pressure at work, existential crisis, depleting physical health, an unexpected loss, or a tough transition can all lead you to feel as though life has no meaning or purpose.

Suicidal ideation also occurs concurrently with other mental health disorders. Your risk of passive or active suicidal ideation might increase if you have:

A drug or alcohol dependency
Other mental health disorders like bipolar, depression, anxiety, or PTSD
A chronic condition or terminal illness
Previous suicide attempts

Other less considered factors that influence one’s risk of attempting suicide include:

Living in a rural area
Having access to firearms
Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender
Having served in the military

How Is Suicidal Ideation Diagnosed?

If you have constant thoughts about suicide, seek immediate support. Talking with a doctor or medical professional will help get you the proper treatment you need for what you’re feeling. When you sit down with a doctor to discuss your suicidal ideation or depression, they will ask you an array of questions to assess the severity of your condition.

Some of these questions could include:

How long have you had thoughts of suicide?
Do you have a history of depression?
Have you created a suicide plan?
Have you purchased accessories for the act?
Do you abuse drugs or alcohol?
Are you taking any medications? If so, what are they?

How Is Suicidal Ideation Treated?

Based on your questionnaire’s answers and other factors, your doctor will produce a comprehensive treatment plan. Most typically, medication, talk therapy, and lifestyle changes are employed to reduce the risk of suicide.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help explore why you’re feeling suicidal and give you strategies to cope. This can involve brain training to rewire the way you perceive yourself and the world.

Family Therapy

Family therapy and education involve loved ones in your treatment so they can better understand what you’re going through, learn the warning signs, and adjust any problematic family dynamics. Family therapy can help ease feelings of hopelessness and make you feel supported.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Drug and alcohol abuse can feed suicidal ideation. If a substance abuse issue is at the root of your suffering, it may be suggested you attend meetings or a rehab facility.

Medications

Some medications, ironically, some used to treat depression, can increase your risk for suicidal ideation. If you are already in treatment for depression or anxiety, your doctor will adjust your medications to address your suicidal ideation.

Lifestyle Changes

Managing stress, improving sleep, eating healthy, getting regular exercise, building a reliable support network, and making time to pursue passions and interests can help combat suicidal ideation.

Are There Any Ways to Prevent Suicidal Ideation?

Suicidal ideation can feel inescapable, but there are some ways to cope. Identifying and avoiding your triggers for depression and suicidal ideation can help you better manage these thoughts in the future.

Symptoms to look out for in a person who is at risk of suicide:
Keep track of situations you find stressful that elicit an extreme response.
Keep a journal to help organize your thoughts and manage stress.
Find a physical activity you enjoy or talk with a friend when you feel an onslaught of negative emotions on the rise.
Seek help at the first signs of depression.
An increase in substance use and abuse

Remember that you’re not alone, and there are ample resources available to help you. Call a crisis line or prevention hotline to speak to someone who can help you find the support you need. SoCal Empowered’s team of compassionate and qualified staff are always on hand to help.

Get Help At Our Suicidal Treatment Center

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES LAKE FOREST, CA

If you or a loved one is battling suicidal ideation both passive or active, SoCal Empowered is here to help. We understand no two individuals situation is the same. For that reason, we prepare individualized treatments to defeat your suicidal thoughts and replace them with positive ones.

Don’t let these negative thoughts control your life any longer. Come get the help you deserve to get your mental health back into a positive state. Contact us today to learn more about our Suicidal Ideation Treatment in Lake Forest.