Innovative Psychiatry
We offer the following articles about suicidal thoughts to reduce the hype and stigma that seem to accompany the tragedy of suicide and those who consider it. We hope to show how changes in brain circuitry and structures lead to the torment of these thoughts, and as a result an individual can make attempts on his own life because he succumbs to those painful images and thought patterns.
Suicide is not selfish, as some claim, any more than kidney failure is selfish. It’s part of a disease process that creates a cycle the individual is trapped within.
Suicidal thoughts can accompany a variety of psychiatric disorders. In fact, they can torment people who have never been diagnosed with a disorder at all. Sometimes changes can happen slowly over time in response to a significant life event that takes the joy out of life for an individual. And that state can progress to thoughts of death.
The loss of someone near and dear, or other types of losses can also contribute. Sometimes a personal failure is behind the action.
In other cases, a person may suffer for a prolonged period of time from a diagnosis, or multiple disorders, that bring feelings of depression, despair, and despondency. When this happens, in some cases mental images of death, or thoughts of dying, or even plans for dying can begin.
Of all of those who admit to thinking about death and dying, and those who think those thoughts but don’t talk about them, there is a smaller percentage of people who actually follow through.
But that’s not to say that there aren’t far too many suicides.
And it doesn’t just happen in developed countries. Globally, 79% of suicides occur in lower and middle income countries.
And think about this: The greatest risk factor for suicide is a previous attempt.
The archaic idea that an unsuccessful suicide attempt is just a cry for attention is an idea that can eventually lead to tragedy.
Here’s the point.
Unfortunately there are far too many who end their lives. But thanks to IV ketamine treatment, that number is decreasing.
What I’ve seen in my own practice is that IV ketamine can end those thoughts in an afternoon. That buys time for the individual to safely participate in therapy and build a more solid personal infrastructure for remission.
In fact, the use of IV ketamine for suicidal thoughts can prevent trips to the ER for suicidal attempts and prevent hospitalizations, as well.
It’s for this reason I offer IV ketamine to stop suicidal thoughts and save lives. Lives of people who can go on to enjoy love, productivity, and fulfillment.
As you read these articles about suicidal thoughts, I hope they’ll broaden your perspective about how widely thoughts like this are experienced, and how important it is to stop them so your loved one can heal.
Lexi released a long, deep sigh as she stared out the window. What was the point? Just holding herself up in the overstuffed chair was too much of an effort. But, she knew she had to drag herself to her feet, and get in the shower. Another day had begun, and she needed to go […]
Everyone seemed happy, excited, hopeful. Ryan sighed, looking at his feet. It had been a difficult year. His surgical practice had been slow to recover following the pandemic. Countless problems with his staff, endless conflicts, and reduced income. His wife of eight years had died from complications related to COVID and asthma 2 years ago. […]
Kinsey recoiled when her mom screamed, “If you don’t cooperate I’m going to kill myself! Do you want that on your conscience??” The security she had felt when she was younger, with both parents making her world safe, seemed to be disintegrating. She felt guilty, confused, and terrified. She trusted her parents, but her mom […]
Caryn lay in bed, looking around the room. She’d been here in this bed for months. The mess had piled up from doing so little, and her finding no initiative to get up and do anything. No energy, either emotionally or physically. She looked across the room at the pile of clutter collected on her […]
Tom woke up, his head pounding, and he ached all over. The dark cloud that followed him everywhere was back. The partying last night gave him a brief reprieve, but it was over. He slowly dragged himself out of bed and thought about how disappointing it was that he woke up. He didn’t realize he […]
Shannon was 13 and woke up almost every morning disappointed to realize she was still alive. Her last thought before falling asleep was usually hoping, praying, she would not wake up in the morning. Her misery was difficult to describe but it involved every aspect of her life — parents and family, her school work, […]
People like your mom, your brother, your nephew, your grandfather, your aunt…your spouse or son or daughter. This time of year is a time of disappointments, when broken relationships or perceived failures are felt most deeply, and those loved ones who have died before are acutely missed. For some, it’s a logical time to find […]
On November 20, we observed International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. While a single day dedicated to observe such loss is a meager effort, it’s not nearly enough. Few losses magnify the sense of powerlessness like the loss of a loved one by suicide. Many times the loss comes after an extended period, months or […]
Luke and Sam walk home from school. Luke says, “Hey man, I’ve got some weed, wanna share a joint?” Sam looks up, pleased at the prospect. “I have a better idea. Let’s call Dom. She’s throwing a party with brownies and cookies, too. Brownies are such a fun way to get high…” As you watch […]
There are so many sides to this controversy. Marijuana’s good for what ails you – right? For cancer pain, anxiety, depression…for putting your body back in order… Or is it?? There has long been a belief that cannabis, another name for marijuana, was associated with suicidality. Not a popular belief, but one supported by neuroscience. […]