Warning signs of suicide in adults
The following warning signs may be present in adults who have a high risk for suicide:
- Depression or other mental health condition, such as severe anxiety, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), or schizophrenia
- Depression followed by sudden cheerfulness and contentment, which may mean the person has made a decision to finalize a suicide plan
- A previous suicide attempt
- Alcohol or substance abuse
- Preoccupation with death in conversations
- Giving away personal possessions
Factors that may increase the risk of suicide include having:
- A family member who has committed suicide.
- A family history of depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
- A history of physical or sexual abuse.
- Diagnosis of a serious medical illness.
- Failing relationships.
- A divorce.
- A recent life change, such as a death of a spouse or other member of the family, marriage, break-up of a marriage, the birth of a child, a job loss, a job promotion or demotion, or legal problems.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA | Last Updated: March 16, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine Donald Sproule, MD, CM, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry | |
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