Myths and Facts of Suicide........

                                             MYTHS ABOUT SUICIDE

There are many myths about suicide and suicidal behavior that have been passed down through generations of healthcare providers that some providers still believe today and may have actually been taught.  Examples of these myths are:

•           Myth: Asking about suicide would plant the idea in my patient's head.

•           Reality: Asking how your patient feels doesn’t create suicidal thoughts any more     than asking how your patient’s chest feels would cause angina.

•           Myth: There are talkers and there are doers.

•           Reality:  Most people who die by suicide have communicated some intent.  Someone who talks about suicide gives the physician an opportunity to intervene before suicidal behaviors occur.

•           Myth: If somebody really wants to die by suicide, there is nothing you can do about it.

•           Reality: Most suicidal ideas are associated with the presence of underlying treatable disorders. Providing a safe environment for treatment of the underlying cause can save lives.  The acute risk for suicide is often time-limited.  If you can help the person survive the immediate crisis and the strong intent to die by suicide, then you will have gone a long way towards promoting a positive outcome.

•           Myth: He/she really wouldn't kill themselves since ______.

•           he just made plans for a vacation

•           she has young children at home

•           he signed a No Harm Contract

•           he knows how dearly his family loves him

•           Reality: The intent to die can override any rational thinking.  In the presence of suicidal ideation or intent, the physician should not be dissuaded from thinking that the patient is capable of acting on these thoughts and feelings.  No Harm or No Suicide contracts have been shown to be essentially worthless from a clinical and management perspective. The anecdotal reports of their usefulness can all be explained by the strength of the alliance with the care provider that results from such a collaborative exchange, not from the specifics of the contract itself.

•           Myth:  Multiple and apparently manipulative self-injurious behaviors mean that the patient is just trying to get attention and are not really suicidal.

•           Reality: Suicide “gestures” require thoughtful assessment and treatment.  Multiple prior suicide attempts increase the likelihood of eventually dying by suicide.   The task is to empathically and non-judgmentally engage the patient in understanding the behavior and finding safer and healthier ways of asking for help.

Sunil Kumar                                                  Jayasudha Kamaraj

Clinical Psychologist                                     Counseling Psychologist

Founder - Mind Zone                                     Co-founder - Mind Zone

+91 9444 297058                                           +91 9176055 660