Posted by ensoul on July 1, 2002, at 23:20:46
In reply to Got any effective methods for averting suicide?, posted by bookgurl99 on July 1, 2002, at 20:25:08
> This weekend I felt compelled to write out a plan. I'm not going to let myself carry it out, but still. Any good ways to stop the thoughts?
better site yet, http://www.cyberpsych.com/suicide.html
going to copy and paste it here, need it for myself too
When Life Doesn't Seem Worth It
Having thoughts of suicide is common when people feel depressed, anxious, frustrated, down on themselves or otherwise upset. When you are in such a frame of mind, suicide seems like a reasonable way out of a hopeless situation. It is vital to recognize the falseness of such feelings, no matter how real they seem. Your situation is not hopeless and your pain is not unbearable. There are actually many things you can do! Here are some suggestions:
1. Have a plan. Decide what you will do if such feelings come up. Talk to your therapist about it before you have a crisis. If you don't have a therapist, get one right away. Having a plan helps to reduce the likelihood of having such thoughts and if you do, keeps them in check.
2. Remove all easy opportunities for suicide, such as weapons, medications, etc. Lock them up, give them away, put them in storage, let someone else keep them for you.
3. Write out your thoughts and work at disputing and changing depressing, anxious, suicidal thoughts. For example, if you are thinking, "My life sucks", try changing this to, "Some things about my life suck, but I may be able to change them and many other things about my life are okay".
4. Fight your feelings by doing the opposite of what you feel like doing, for example:
Do something physical like going for a walk, exercising, etc.
Call a friend or someone with whom you can talk.
Get out of the house/apartment.
Go shopping, to a movie, to church or any other activity you enjoy.
Do something nice for yourself, like take a hot bath, buy yourself a treat, etc.
5. Do NOT turn to drinking or drugging. This might help you feel better temporarily, but it will probably just make matters worse.6. If you are still feeling suicidal, instead of doing anything harmful to yourself, try the following:
Call your therapist, doctor, minister, friend, relative or other trusted person.
Call the national suicide helpline at 800-SUICIDE (784-2433).
Go to the emergency room of the nearest hospital.
Dial 911.
Go to The Good Samaritans
Go to Suicide: Read This First
Go to Suicidal
Call the crisis hotline service in your city (see listings below).
Go to Suicide Hotlines by State
Go to Suicide and Crisis Centers
poster:ensoul
thread:488
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020516/msgs/497.html