Suicidal Thoughts

• Suicidal Thoughts Overview
• Suicidal Thoughts Causes
• Suicidal Thoughts Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Suicidal Thoughts Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Next Steps
• Follow-up
• Prevention
• Outlook
• Support Groups and Counseling
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors
• Related signs of suicide articles:
  Signs of suicide - on WebMD
  Signs of suicide - on MedicineNet

Suicidal Thoughts Overview

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call 1-800-SUICIDE.

Suicidal thoughts are troubling, especially when accompanied by depression, other mental illnesses, alcohol or drug abuse, or plans for suicide. This situation demands immediate evaluation. These thoughts can indicate serious illness.

The critical distinction is between a person's thoughts regarding death and suicide, and actually wanting to die. When doctors hear that someone wants to die, they refer to these thoughts as suicidal ideation and divide them into 2 categories.

• Suicidal ideation can be active and involve a current desire and plan to die.
  
  
• Suicidal ideation can be passive, involving a desire to die but without a plan to bring about one's death.

If a person has an actual desire to die (in either form of suicidal ideation), he or she must seek immediate medical attention.