Suicidal Ideation

Thinking about suicide seems to be very common in states of high stress, in states of Distress, in depression: typically when one feels trapped. The phenomenon is called suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation is not the same as suicidal intention. For some people fantasy about suicide can bring relief, for others thinking about suicide is unwanted and painful.

Suicidal ideation is a sign that people feel trapped in some way.

Suicidal ideation may sometimes precede suicidal intention, but commonly people with suicidal ideation but do not also have suicidal intention. That knowledge can be a great relief to some people with suicidal ideation.

Suicidal ideation is a sign that people feel trapped in some way: when it feels like there is no answer to one’s predicament, the idea of suicide bubbles up as a notional way of escaping the trap.

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Those that do have true suicidal intention are the ones that suicide or make a serious attempt to suicide. Suicidal intention is an imminent desire to leave life. It may be associated with making arrangements for ones estate etc or it may be impulsive, especially in the context of intoxication.

Experiencing suicidal ideation is a sign that help is needed. Help to solve the feeling of being trapped.

Experiencing suicidal intention is an emergency.