Scared by sudden suicidal feelings?

Question

I've been being treated for depression & social anxiety for the past three years, I'm currently on the maximum dose of venlafaxine & have been for the past 6 months. For the most part, my depression is pretty well controlled now; it's more problems with anxiety and low self esteem I struggle with on a day to day basis, but from time to time I have episodes of feeling completely..........I suppose desolate or desperate is the best way to describe it, with suicidal thoughts & ideas, and it seems to happen for no apparent reason.

As an example, I've had a fairly crap week for various reasons, but I was coping alright with things until yesterday evening when I became VERY depressed, couldn't stop crying, even though I didn't know what I was crying about, and I just wanted to end it all then and there.

In the end, I took a big dose of sleeping tablets to make sure I wouldn't do anything stupid, but it scares me a lot.

Any ideas why this is happening and how I can stop it?

Answer 1

Hi Jen

I completely understand what you are saying, as I too have the same fear.

You did the right thing yesterday, by making yourself as safe as you could in that situation. I'm sure others probably won't agree, but at least you realised what was happening and made a choice to do something else instead. So I say "well done".

I know you say that you can't see any apparent reason for suddenly feeling suicidal, but I'm sure there will be something that happened or you started thinking about that did actually alter your thought process. It might be a good idea to start writing a diary or journal, it doesn't have to be too detailed, but it might show some insight into times when you feel this way.

Try this link to the Mind website

How to cope with suicidal feelings:
http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/How+to/How+to+cope+with+suicidal+feelings.htm

the information is easy to read and understand and gives some practical tips on how to help yourself.

I would also suggest that you go and talk to your GP and explain what you felt like, but that you did manage to distract yourself and not make any attempt. I always find it difficult to admit to but do feel relieved afterwards, as my GP is always understanding and never judges me, so it helps to have been able to talk about it.

It might also be useful to ask him if you have a local Crisis Resolution Service that he could give you the phone number for. Then if you feel this way again you have someone to ring and to help you through.

Take care and I hope this helps.

Answer 2

If you're still getting suicidal feelings then you're obviously profoundly depressed. Maybe it doesn't feel like that because you've been this way for quite some time now. Venlafaxine is a potent antidepressant. The maximum dose is 375mg/day, although this is usually reserved for inpatients. It may be that you need another medication such as olanzapine or lamotrigine to augment the effects of the venlafaxine if your depression is still resistant. I would suggest that you go back and see your doctor and tell them exactly what you've put here.

Answer 3

Are you in therapy? It might help if you got a therapist in addition to the medication. Also, it's possible that this medicine isn't working as well as another kind might. Have you tried talking to your doctor about switching to a different anti-depressant? I have social anxiety and depression, too. Sometimes when things get really bad, I'll envision suicide, but then I have to stop myself. It's good that you're trying to fight these thoughts, because it shows that you can still make a change. If it's gotten to the point where you have to take sleeping pills to keep from hurting yourself, new medication and therapy are definitely in order. Also, I'm not sure about your exercise habits, but it's been noted that even 30 minutes of exercise for three days a week can improve depression. Along those lines, are you taking in too much caffeine? People like us should really aim to avoid it altogether. Stay strong!

Answer 4

My experience is that sometimes the medication itself. It happened to me on Zoloft. I was taking it for social anxiety and was not depressed before taking it. Several weeks later, I became very depressed and had suicidal thoughts out of nowhere. They kept increasing the dose and I it got worse and worse. I finally stopped the medication and felt better within a few days. If this really feels out of character to you, ask for a different antidepresant. If it happens to you again, you should go see a psychiatrist who could add a mood stabilizer.

Answer 5

You have to address your sypmtoms. Whilst Anti-Depressants are a comfort in the short term, you will have to make positive decisions to make you feel better. Are you in a darkly painted house? or prefer a low dim light. This can cause negative feelings (if you live in dark surroundings with little daylight, this will depress you). I would suggest paint your house a warm colour like yellow, get some nice lighting and a few comedy DVD's. It's a horrible feeling to have also! my heart goes out to you. It could also be S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder) That affects people badly in wintertime, esp the more North you are

Answer 6

I think you need help in coping with dealing with regular things and not be overwhelmed by them..every body has fairly crap weeks but dont' feel suicidal about it so clearly you just need to talk to a professional to put things in perspective and learn ways to cope with things that come up in life.

Answer 7

You should ask your doctor about the side affects of venlafaxine. I'll look it up right now though....Yep. Increased thoughts of suicide are a side affect of it, so it could just be your medicine. Hope that helps!

Answer 8

Homeopathic Remedies for Anxiety / Panic Attacks / Stress / Depression(Bereavment) / Mood Swings (Totally safe, without any side effects or complications of any sort) :-

ANXIETY / PANIC ATTACKS & STRESS :-

Sudden with restlessness and fear of death, Panic Attacks, Aconite 30X or 200X,1/2 hourly (3 Doses)

Prolonged with periodic and panic attacks Arsenic Alb.200X, 4 hourly (3 Doses)

With fainting spells; profuse sweating; worse in the morning Sulphur 30X or 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Makes patient walk fast; due to anticipation Argentum Nit 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Worse lying in bed and closing the eyes Carbo Veg 30X or 200X, 4 hourly (6 Doses)

Anxiety aggravated by upward or downward motion; going in an elevator; worse till 11 P.M, Borax 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxious about business even when seriously ill Bryonia Alba 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Full of apprehensions in the evening Causticum 200X, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety and fears in the evening with restlessness and palpitation Calcarea Carb.200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety worse while lying still. Sad music ameliorates the complaints Manganum Acet 200X 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety due to fright, fear,exciting news; stage fright; worse while appearing for examination or interview etc Gelsemium 30X or 200X 3 hourly (6 Doses)

Mood Swings, Anxiety due to grief or shock in the subconscious mind Ignatia 200X or 1M, 3 hourly (3 Doses)

Anxiety; better after eating Anacardium Or 30X, 4 hourly.

DEPRESSION & GRIEF(Bereavement) :-

Severe shock due to sudden death of loved ones; restlessness, anxiety and fear Aconite 200X. 10 min (3 Doses)

Prolonged mournings; cannot overcome the loss of loved ones and/or Mood Swings. Ignatia 1M or 10M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

When the grief is in the conscious mind; patient weeps; does not like sympathy Natrum Mur.200X or 1M, 6 hourly (3 Doses)

For chronic grief and indignation Staphysagria 200X or 1M, weekly (3 Doses)

Depression with suicidal thoughts feeling of worthlessness, Aurum Met 30X, three times a day half hour before meals.


Take the remedy which is similar to your symptoms. No side effects or complications if taken as directed, please do not exceed the given dosage and under any circumstances do not try to mix any remedies and avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine (Cures Par Excellence)

Take Care and God Bless you.

Answer 9

Talk to your doctor about what thoughts have come up into your mind lately and if the medication is actually working. Depression should not take over your life. You have many years to go and enjoy whatever makes you happy. You need to keep a positive attitude in all areas of your mind and don't let any little thing get to you because it happens to the best of us. I cry all the time too for no reason and its not because im depressed but i think its because that one day isn't going the way you planned it to go and you feel as if life sucks for that moment on. But the next day is a new day and life starts again. So if you feel suicidal and in-content with yourself think of all things that you have that no one else in this world has. You may have it so much better then someone else out there. But i understand, its always good to get those tears that you've been waiting to get out, out. Crying isn't necessarily a bad thing, it could in fact be a resolution or a purifier.

Answer 10

Kevin's answer is good. Also, are you a thinker? I believe that people with highly developed logic can suffer such attacks. I'd suggest joining a group, eg: chess club, arts and crafts group, choir or band etc. ... something you enjoy and that provides positive stimulation for your brain. You could take lessons at something (music keyboard, guitar, martial arts) that would give your mind and body a focus.