Signs Of Suicidal Tendencies
Often teens will talk of suicide just to get attention or to get a rise out of their parents, however these comments should never be taken lightly. Many parents have chalked their teens’ comments about ending it all up to a bad mood, only to find out it was a serious cry for help. If your teen exhibits any of these warning signs, talk to them about how they are feeling, emotionally. If you have any question in your mind that they are considering ending their life, get them help immediately.
• Sudden withdrawal from friends and family can be an indicator of suicidal thoughts. Teens will often withdraw from one or the other, but when they suddenly want no emotional connections to anyone, something is usually very wrong.
• A teen getting rid of their possessions is a serious red flag for possible suicidal tendencies. If your teen is suddenly handing out his or her most beloved belongings to friends or family members, find out just what is behind their sudden generosity. Their seemingly kind acts could be the beginnings of a tragic outcome.
• If your teen begins to talk about suicide, ending it all, how everyone would be better off without him, or makes similar comments, take them very seriously. Find out why they feel that way and if they won’t talk to you about it, find someone that they will open up to.
• Many teens who are leaning toward suicide become extremely volatile toward others. A teen who used to get along with everyone suddenly seems to have no friends. A sudden change in personality where your teen is lashing out, exhibiting violence, or being extremely rebellious can be an indicator of suicidal thoughts.
• If your child is into art or writing, you may want to take a look at their creations. Writings that are very brooding and artwork that is associated with death or violence could be showing their own struggle with suicidal ideas.
• A sudden disinterest in life is another important warning sign. Many teens who are contemplating suicide will stop taking care of themselves, lose interest in activities they once looked forward to, stop performing well in school or even stop attending school altogether.
• Problems with sleep can also be an indicator of potential suicide. This can go from one extreme to the other. Some teens may sleep constantly to escape whatever problem has them so emotionally disturbed, while others will be unable to sleep due to dwelling on their problems all the time. In either case, talk to your child about the changes in their sleep pattern to see if there is something serious behind it.
• Drug and alcohol abuse is prevalent in teens who commit suicide. They turn to these substances as an escape from their emotional problems and eventually they are not enough. If you have a suspicion that your child is using drugs and alcohol as a means of escape from their issues, get them help quickly, before the problem develops into a situation that you cannot handle.
• If your teen has previously attempted suicide and begins showing signs of depression, seek help immediately. In this case, it is best to not wait for other warning signs, as this teen has already proven that he or she will act on their thoughts, should things become too much for them to deal with.
February 14th, 2009 at 03:13
My 14 year old daughter has mentioned suicide two times. Both times it was when she was going to get grounded or in trouble. She laughs with her teenage brother alot. Mostly when I or her stepdad is not around. I would like to get her help as i am not writing this off. Also, she has been writing about things that give a sexual abuse sort of conotation but she assures me it is because there is a kid at her school that touches her inappropriately. She says she doesn’t feel close to me and i have always felt close to her. We shop together and bowl and laugh all night and crash out on the couches. I have an older daughter that my ex-husband attempted to molest but i was there to stop it and i left and divorced him. My 14 year old knows this and knows i will always believe them over any man. Even my husband, i have not only proven this in the past but they all know what i did to get them to safety. Problem is, she says the writing is fiction and i have my doubts. I am going to seek counseling and/or therapy for her. Any advice would be helpful! Thanks, m. Hill
June 3rd, 2009 at 23:17
This is a very serious issue rose, it should be treated with specialists.
June 4th, 2009 at 01:01
Hi there Rose. I thing you are doing the right thing by seeking counseling for her. Hopefully she can share some of what she is writing with a counselor of some sort. I wish you nothing but the very best!
It is wonderful that you are taking this very seriously and not making light of her comments.
Aurelia
November 18th, 2010 at 08:51
Hi..im a single mom of a 13yr old boy, and i try my best to give him a good life and ever since we have time to talk and explain everything to him.
I can say were so close and we can talk everything….but my prob., starts when he turn 12…and he try to hurt himself by slashing his arm,and now he did it again…its not that deep, but i know its not a good sign, and it can get worse if i don’t pay attention,i don’t understand why he did that…he just said that he think of to do it…i am afraid that he get this thinking of having a suicidal tendencies from his father, bec. he did it when were together before.
Though we don’t live together, ever since i get pregnant.Do i need to seek a help, or i have to bring him to a doctor?hope u can give me advice to this…
Thank you very much.More power..
May 11th, 2011 at 08:17
monique, try to talk to him and explain to him how much you love him and that it hurts you whenever he tries to hurt himself. i have sort of have suicidal tendencies as well and whenever i think of committing suicide, i would always hope that someone would tell me how important i am to him/her. don’t let him feel like he’s alone in this world. be there for him. try to be forgiving. but if you must do your job as a parent, when you punish him or get mad at him, please do not say too much hurtful things because people with suicidal tendencies WILL dwell on the hurtful things and even when you say afterwards that you didn’t mean it, he will always have doubts. i really hope this helps you child. i hope he will become happier and will try to see the more positive things in life. show him the beauty of life.
May 16th, 2011 at 21:35
i am a fourteen year old girl & as i went down through these signs, i cried because i have EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM. everyone i reach out to is indifferent or thinks i’m kidding. i feel depressed all of the time and recently, my friends have all torn away because i’m so “sad and miserable” all the time. i wish they’d understand that i didn’t choose this. it’s not a life sucks phase. i’ve felt this way for a while. i get teased all the time and people are always trying to change me. i want to be happy, but i’ve lost all hope. i’m alone, even while surrounded by one hundred people. my family doesn’t understand and no matter what they say, i don’t think that they’ll ever TRULY want to know what’s going on inside my head..it’d be too much for them. i’ve lost everything. i constantly write about leaving this life. i can’t remember the last time i truly laughed. things are spiraling out of control. i want everyone to just go away because i’m sick of being hurt.
May 17th, 2011 at 00:55
Thank you for reaching out! Please email me at aurelia.mwilliams@gmail.com I would love to chat with you. If you don’t want to email me, please go to a counselor or trusted teacher at your school and share with them how you are feeling. You can work through this with some help. I admire how in tune you are with your feelings. Please email me ASAP
May 17th, 2011 at 21:17
thankyou, aurelia. i will most definitely try to get in touch with you. i talked to a friend of mine. he’s..he’s great. last night after i wrote to you, i felt almost relieved. my problems haven’t gone away over night, but just seeing your response to me made me feel awesome. i am going to try to work through this. i am making it a goal of mine to try to laugh more and shrug things off. still, though. i can’t shake the feeling of depression. hopefully things will get better because i know that my family cares about me..they just don’t really get how i feel. but, thankyou for this website.