Doesn't everyone have thoughts of suicide from time to time?

Question

I mean, not that you would actually do it but don't most of us, regardless of whether we would do it or not have the thought cross our minds during times of despair?

Answer 1

I'm sure that at one time or another, whether we'll admit it or not, we have all had these kinds of thoughts. I'm not saying every single one of us has sat down and figured out how we would do it, and imagined what people would say at our funeral. I'm just suggesting that at at least one point in everybody's life, they have figured that they'd be better off if they weren't living anymore, just because things, at that point in time, feel like they can't get any worse, and they have nothing left to live for. I know a lot of people, who at a rough time in their life, said they'd like to fall asleep and never wake up. I'm not friends with a whole bunch of psychos either.

Answer 2

Yes, I believe it does, however most people wouldn't admit to having those kinds of thoughts. I don't think that the thought of suicide is the same as actually thinking of doing it, but nobdy wants to be thought of as mentally unstable, so most people quash the thought and don't tell. When depression hits, for whatever reason, it's normal to sometimes want to end the sadness and be done with it all. Normalcy however, means the person bounces back from the bad feelings and takes on life once again, no matter how difficult at the time. Time does heal, in its own way. We are uniquely equipped in the way that our minds can push back the grief a little at a time until it's more bearable and the feelings aren't so sharp. I feel that there is a reason for everything that happens, we just might not be privy to that reason right away. Have to keep on going to find out what will happen next.

Answer 3

.....No. I know hundreds of people well, and I'm certain that only a small percentage of them have ever had thoughts of suicide. I'm 62 and I've been though some very tough times in my life, but never once have I had anything close to a thought about suicide.

That is not a brag. It's just the way it has worked out for me. My heart goes out to those who do. Sometimes depression and despair can seem just too much to bear. And a good many of these people aren't depressed because they are weak or have screwed up their lives. Such feelings can come from a chronic imbalance in the neurotransmitters related to mood, such as serotonin.

This happened to one of my best friends. She developed an imbalance of brain chemicals triggered by hormone changes some time after a hysterectomy. She struggled valiantly against suicidal thoughts for several years until she got the right medications.

Answer 4

EVERYONE has thoughts of suicide, but some people feel uncomfortable mentioning it. The truth, though, is that everyone at least thinks about suicide--the only problem is when you think so much about it that you actually decide to do it. But no matter whether we are clinically depressed or not, everyone will, in moments of despair, think of about suicide, even if just for a second.

Answer 5

I believe that it's fairly common. I wont go so far as to say that "everyone" has it happen but I'm almost sure that I've read that it's considered "normal" by psychiatrists to have such thoughts on occasion. The trouble begins when the thoughts become obsessive and something other than just a random, fleeting idea in times of despair/depression.

Answer 6

I think it's normal to consider all options for any situation, including ones of despair. Suicide is always an option for handling (or avoiding) a situation, so it should be evaluated just like every other option in a decision making process. I think the concern is based on how much weight you give it as an option.

Answer 7

Not at all. Even mild thoughts of suicide can be a sign of depression, unfortunately about 1/2 of all Americans are diagnosed with depression so probably 3/4 or so do.

Answer 8

i"ve actually tried it a few times as a teen but as an adult it has only crossed my mind a few times and they were in fact during times of deep despair. Just gotta keep that faith in the lord!

Answer 9

No. If you are having these thoughts, please discuss them with someone. There is a difference between suicidal ideation and suicidal intentions. I think you are talking about ideation. In the world of mental health care, it is still a concern. Ideation can turn into an intent to harm yourself given just the right traumatic event. What's that event? Who knows, it's different for everyone. But to be on the safe side, discuss the thoughts of suicide you may be having with someone.

Answer 10

when "sane" people (meaning giddy fools) think about Suicide they're thinking in the Dramatic or Theatrical sense, as if they're imagining a soap opera or something. Example: "god, I have to pay these taxes, I just wanna kill myself, haha"

Depressed people consider actually doing it. Example: "taxes, along with everything else is just too much.. i'm sick of it and I'm finally going to do it, boo hoo"