Signs That Suggest Someone You Love Could Be Suicidal

Is there someone you care about, or even a work colleague you see every day, who you’ve noticed isn’t doing so well? Is your gut telling you something is wrong? Could this person really be so depressed, so down that he or she might actually be suicidal?

What would you do if you knew that someone was showing the classic signs of suicide?

Firstly, you should know what the signs are. Here are the common signs that may tell you if someone is considering suicide:

• Behaviour signs

If you’ve noticed real behavioural changes such as irritability or aggression, this could be a sign of someone struggling with anxiety, depression or feelings of lowness. These may all be leading factors to thoughts of suicide. If you notice a person taking to drink or drugs at an unusual rate, it is a sure sign there are problems in his or her life.

• Physical signs

Weight loss or gain or a general disinterestedness in food, which have led to physical changes in a person can be a sign of stress. You can usually see major changes on the face or around the eyes. Again, this can lead to thoughts of suicide because the feelings of depression may seem too much to bear.

• Verbal signs

Many people who intend on committing suicide actually pronounce it clearly, however subtly. Listen to what that someone is saying. Hear the phrases such as “It all seems hopeless” or “What’s the point of life if everything I do makes no difference?” – these may be classic signs of depression, which may lead to suicidal thoughts and indeed final action.

Now that you know the common signs of suicide, it doesn’t mean that the person next to you is contemplating suicide; he or she could just be having a bad day – after all, we all get those types of days, don’t we?

However, you should also be aware that you are not a counsellor, and any influence from your side may be more damaging than healing.

Related Tags: Psychologists Melbourne CBD | Depression Psychologist Melbourne