Blogs
Suicide can be a tough topic to discuss among those suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Though around 56% of people with PTSD experience suicidal thoughts, ideation, or actions, admitting to having those feelings can feel shameful. (Note: This post contains a trigger warning.)
When someone has died by suicide, how can we honor that person? Since suicide is unfortunately common (it’s the second leading cause of death in the US for people aged 15 to 34), it’s likely we all know someone who has died by suicide. A death in that manner can be a sensitive topic. (Note: This post contains a trigger warning.)
The feeling that life is meaningless can lead to suicidal ideations. These ideations are thoughts about suicide without the intention to follow through with it. While suicidal ideations are common and can pass quickly, they can become dangerous if they are not treated. I find writing to be a healthy way to cope with ideations. Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to use writing as a healthy coping technique. (Note: This post contains a trigger warning.
When we think about suicide, the first association that comes to mind is often depression. The link between suicidality and depression has been documented not only in the research literature but also in much of the media we consume, to the extent that the majority of people are aware of this link. Unfortunately, we are much less aware as a society of the impact that anxiety has on suicide. Note: This post contains a trigger warning.
Shame and suicidal thoughts are often part of living with complex posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially after childhood trauma. When you are experiencing shame, those thoughts can become worse. Understanding how to identify shame and have self-compassion can help with suicide prevention. (Note: This post contains a trigger warning.)
Suicide attempts are often unsuccessful. This means that there is a whole population of people out there who need a different kind of help than the one suicide prevention resources offer. This also means that many people may currently be finding themselves alive on the other end of a suicide attempt and wondering, “What now?” (Note: This post contains a trigger warning.)
Having healthy coping skills and knowing how to practice them can play a major role in suicide prevention. When someone is struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts, the pain and confusion he/she feels is often compounded by misinformation, incorrect beliefs, and unhealthy coping skills. Yet, these are often the only things a person suffering from a mental health crisis has at his/her disposal. It's time to change this now by having educational conversations about mental health, suicide, and healthy coping skills. (Note: This post contains a trigger warning.)
It's hard staying grounded while facing verbal abuse, especially if you've been on the abuse merry-go-round with family, friends, or significant others for some time. Having deep-seated connections with abusers can cause confusion when it comes to determining your feelings and deciphering boundaries because these loyalties make it difficult to decide if a behavior is okay.
Trigger warning: This post contains a frank discussion of suicide and suicide attempts.Every time somebody attempts or dies by suicide, at least six people are left struggling profoundly to deal with the difficult, overwhelming emotions that are a natural part of grief1. Those bereaved by suicide often feel high anxiety and guilt. Unfortunately, however, this intense anxiety and crushing guilt can be overlooked as everyone focuses on the person who has attempted or died by suicide. If you have excessive anxiety, worry, fear, and/or feelings of guilt in the wake of suicidal behavior of someone you care about, know that you're not alone and that your feelings aren't wrong or selfish. The following information can help you identify your anxiety and guilt as well as know what to do about it.
When I was first diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), I felt incredibly isolated. I didn’t have any specialist help which meant that I turned to books and the internet to learn about the condition. The depth of the stigma that I discovered during my research was shocking, both from academic and more informal sources. I encountered psychology books that described people with the condition as manipulative, YouTube videos that depicted people with BPD as chainsaw-wielding monsters, and websites vilifying people with BPD who so much as dared to be in a relationship.
I am an anxious empath, although I do get overwhelmed at times. I have developed a bunch of tools I use to channel energy be it positive or negative. I became a Christian, I am sensitive to spirit. My biggest breakthroughs with all this emotional stuff is to take it to god. I pray daily, intensely of whatever is on my mind. I became very sensitive to nature and animals too. Drop me an e mail, maybe I can help with concerns. Empathy is a kick ass gift, but you have to be careful of others emotions and basically negative people. God bless Gh kleiner
Your post could have been written by me verbatim.
I have learned that unless you manage to find a way to calmly withdraw from the situation without reacting or to no longer be affected when hurtful comments are made, you owe it to yourself to walk away.
In my case I feel guilty at times, guilty that I am thinking of abandoning someone whose outbursts are clearly a cry for help but in my case I ended up in a situation where for weeks on end, I would walk around in emotional agony; feel empty and depleted; and at some point you just say to yourself “enough is enough”
Anxiety is a terrible affliction; when paired with depression, it is even harder
But please remember - you are not a doormat. And you can actually not be the support to him that he may need, if you allow it to affect you this much.
What he says in moments of anxiety or depression is not a reflection on you but on him. In a way, it has absolutely nothing to do with you.
I know - easier said than done.
But you matter as much as he does and you are not a doormat. Take care of you also.