Medical Treatment

The treatment for suicidal thoughts might range from gentle reassurance to hospital admission.

• In some cases, the person is sent home with instructions to return if the thoughts become persistent or symptoms of depression become evident.
  
  
• In this case, follow-up with a mental health professional is usually arranged within 48 hours.
  
  
• An anti-anxiety medication or even an antidepressant may be started right away.
  
  
• If the person's suicidal thoughts are believed to be of a dangerous nature follow-up is likely to be immediate with admission to the hospital.

If someone is admitted to the hospital because of suicidal thoughts, he or she undergoes extensive evaluation by a psychiatrist and is often started on medication and scheduled for follow-up counseling.

From the doctor's perspective, suicidal thoughts are to be taken seriously and evaluated thoroughly. Predicting suicide is difficult.

• People who actually commit suicide are usually terribly depressed.
  
  
• They often have alcohol or drug abuse problems.
  
  
• Many are diagnosed with schizophrenia-a serious mental illness.
  
  
• Many commit suicide in response to difficulties in their lives.
  
  
• By the same token, most depressed people, people with drug or alcohol problems, and those with schizophrenia never attempt suicide.