topic Changing medication and suicide thoughts in Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

Changing medication and suicide thoughts

Pallets76 — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 07:14:29 GMT

Besides self calm and mindfulness any other tips for those dark thoughts when changing medications?

Changing medication and suicide thoughts

Croix — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 13:28:32 GMT

Dear Pallets76~

I guess this is a pretty frightening time, it has been for me, and you have my sympathy going though this.

The idea is to have a Safety Plan, not a bad idea in any case.

I'd suppose the most iportant thing first is constant consultation with your prescriber, it may be these thoughts are not the normal reactions and your medication needs to be varied.

I would also most strongly suggest you tell someone else - this saved my life as I eventually told my partner and things improved. She was a sensible person to rely upon, did not overreact and led me to proper treatment. Disclosing how you feel to another is a hard thing to do, Beyond Blue has some helpful ideas here

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/suicide-prevention/feeling-suicidal/talking-to-someone-about-your-suicidal-feelings.

If you find that the situation is becoming overwhelming then you can have a sort of ladder of things,

First be with that someone else, if it is another who does not know there are no worries, just being with a friend or family member can help a whole a lot. Isolation is your enemy.

Try giving the Suicide Call Back Service (1300 659 467) a call. They are pretty excellent, sensible, don't overreact and are experienced - you can call them more than once without explaining all over again, the only downside is they are so good you have to wait, others want them too.

An excellent app is BeyondNow, a plan that fits in your smartphone and you fill it in in advance with all sorts of things, not just emergency numbers. I have YouTube Clips, people to call, music, books I've enjoyed and all sorts of things.

It is here and free

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/beyondnow-suicide-safety-planning

Actually I had help, it is difficult to think of what made you calm or happy or when down. My partner who knows me better than I do reminded me of all sorts of thing, and felt better herself being able to have a hand in looking after me

Beyond Blue has a lot more to say on the subject starting here

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/suicide-prevention/feeling-suicidal

Then if all else is too much dial 000 or go to your nearest hospital -no not ideal, but you will end up more safe. that avoiding them and will have another day

I was suicidal for other reasons and did try to take my life, now I am so glad I am here, I live giving and receiving love, giving and receiving support and take satisfaction in my accomplishments.

Please let us know how you are going

Croix

Changing medication and suicide thoughts

geoff — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 20:40:21 GMT

Hello Pallets, I'm sorry this can be a devastating time, a situation you've never had to experience before or even if you have doesn't make it any easier for you.

Can I ask, if possible, whether these are 'intrusive thoughts' that continually occur with you.

Best wishes.

Geoff.

Changing medication and suicide thoughts

romantic_thi3f — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 23:43:41 GMT

Hi Pallets76,

Welcome to the forums and thanks for your post. Such a good question- you're not alone in this and this is something that I've struggled a lot with personally.

Self care and mindfulness are such good techniques and a kudos to you for committing to them.

I think the one thing that's really helped me when I was going through this is trying to remind myself that it will get better. If you can, reminding yourself that this is temporary- or if that's hard, focusing on the things in your life that are worth hanging around for.

Safety plans can be a great resource here as well, especially if you're feeling like you want to act on those dark thoughts and finding ways to keep safe.

Hope to hear back from you.