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Back to Main Page |
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Back to Youth Suicide Page |
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Clues to Suicidal Behavior |
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***These hints to suicidal behavior to follow can be present in a person, but if one single clue exists it certainly does not mean the person is in fact suicidal. The only way to be sure if a person is suicidal is to ask. If you have any suspicion at all, talk to the person.*** |
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Situational Clues : |
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A stressful family life. |
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Having parents who are depressed or are substance abusers. |
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Major loss or trauma. |
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An unexpected pregnancy. |
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A serious illness or injury. |
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A family history of suicide. |
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A history of physical or emotional illness. |
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Being pushed to the outside, isolated by others. |
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Verbal Clues : You have to be very careful with verbal phrases, for people, especially teens, tend to use them but are not actually suicidal. When these phrases are used in a less humorous manner, then they definately need to be looked into. |
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"I wish i were dead." |
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"My family would be ebtter off with out me." |
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"Nobody needs me." |
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"I just can't go on any longer." |
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"Life's not worth it." |
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"I hate my life." |
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"I just can't go on any longer." |
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Also, talking about a long trip, but not having any specifics about the trip may indicate suicidal thoughts or behaviors to come. |
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Behavioral Clues : |
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Lack of interest in daily activites. |
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Obsessive fascination with death, which may be manifested in writing and artwork. |
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Prolonged depression followed by a sense of happiness or elation. |
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Giving away of prized possessions. |
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Previous suicide attempt. |
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Inability to tolerate frustration. |
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Unwillingness or inability to communicate. |
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Problems with school or the law. |
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Hostile or reckless behavior. |
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Neglect of personal appearance. |
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Running away from home or truancy from school. |
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Rebelliousness. |
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Accident prone (carelessness). |
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Stress due to new situation. |
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Loss of security. |
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Perfectionism. |
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Unusual restlessness. |
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Confusion or difficulty with decisions. |
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Likes being on the outside, a loner. |
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Remorse over causing another person pain: a broken romance, an accident that may have injured another. |
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Depressive Symptoms : Depressive symptoms may often look like behavioral clues to suicidal behavior. Again, the only way to know for sure is to ask the person themselves. But many times, a depressed person is more prone to suicidal behavior than others. |
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Unusual sadness, discouragements, and lonliness, |
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Lack of self-esteem. |
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Change in sleeping or eating habits. |
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Poor concentration. |
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Apathy. |
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Withdrawal from people close to them and activities that were once enjoyed. |
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