[Parks]

How do you guys stop having suicidal thoughts? I get thinking about and can't stop, and I'm afraid I'll give into it. I am saying the Jesus Prayer over and over to combat them. Anyone else? It makes for an unpleasant way to spend time, but It is like I get obsessing about it and it won't go away.

[Blitter2014]

For me its all about distraction. There are times where I just cant shut my mind up, so thr only way to combat the negative thinking is to ask myself "is this thought helping me?" and then do something. Pick up a book, turn on the tv, come onto the forum, go for a walk....do anything but let your mind have free reign.
It also helps to have the right medication, for my psych keeps telling me its 50% meds and 50% positive thinking, neither can keep you stable on their own depending on what you suffer from. (For me its bipolar).

You can win the fight, and thats what it is a fight. They say bad thoughts are like stray dogs, don't feed them and they'll leave you alone. In other words dont ket yourself sit there thinking. Get active. Do whatever it takes in a positive way to break the thought pattern.

I feel for you in your struggle, but please keep trying. Its not always going to feel like it does now. When you feel like giving up, try to remember why you have struggled not to give up in the past. You can do it.

Hugs

[jesusplay]

I embrace them, I think of who I could possibly hurt, I thinking about tomorrow begin a better day, I think about the possible pain I would feel, I think about all the good days I have had, I think about burning in hell even though I'm an agnostic, I plan out every little detail to the point I know I would feel regret, I think about all the cool movies I wouldn't get to see, I think about how I might miss world peace or world war 3, again I think about all the lives I've touched in a negative and positive way, I think about all the lives I could touch in both a negative and positive way.

I've had an attempt, survived and never acknowledge it until a year or so later.

I've been hospitalized once for suicidal intent.

One antipsychotic stopped the thoughts completely, but had crazy side effects.

I accept my thoughts and feels. I valence the pros and cons.

I still have suicidal thoughts almost everyday all day but fear of the unknown has become greater.

I suggest you get to know yourself better.

"Life is precious" is what a former pdoc told me

[David866]

Honestly, I've found I can't stop them, but I have learned to accept them as a part of my every day existence, and the best I can do is control them and NOT act on them. (granted, this was achieved through a painful period of trial and error) I've been "safe" now for almost 8 months without meds or hospitals, but if you really feel in danger, get to a hospital asap.

[Parks]

Originally Posted by David866

Honestly, I've found I can't stop them, but I have learned to accept them as a part of my every day existence, and the best I can do is control them and NOT act on them. (granted, this was achieved through a painful period of trial and error) I've been "safe" now for almost 8 months without meds or hospitals, but if you really feel in danger, get to a hospital asap.

This sounds like what I might have to do for a period of time, and just ride it out.

Does that mean you just look at the suicidal thoughts as random thoughts, like I wonder if it is going to rain today, or any other random thoughts. They certainly suck though. Distraction seems good. Thanks again.

[Tomalovely]

I tell my husband that that is where my mind is right then. Being open about the thoughts has made me really step back and look at them as an outsider almost. And, letting my husband know instantly makes me feel safe, less afraid of my own potential. I know most people don't maybe have someone like I do, and I feel very lucky.

[David866]

Originally Posted by Parks

This sounds like what I might have to do for a period of time, and just ride it out.

Does that mean you just look at the suicidal thoughts as random thoughts, like I wonder if it is going to rain today, or any other random thoughts. They certainly suck though. Distraction seems good. Thanks again.

Not so much random, but as an accepted part of who I am. I had struggled for years, trying to eliminate them, but as that was never successful, I learned to accept the fact that they exist, they aren't going anywhere, and they are irrational and not to be acted upon. That is the most important part...irrational and not to be acted upon. It may take some time, and my advice is layman's at best. Although meds and therapy honestly didn't help me, I saw the vast majority of my fellow patients both inpatient and out, greatly helped by one or both. If distraction helps, by all means engage in something distracting. If it gets too much to handle, get to the ER. Truth be told, I kinda' miss the weeks and months I spent inpatient. One of the only places I felt like I fit in.

[Parks]

Originally Posted by David866

Not so much random, but as an accepted part of who I am. I had struggled for years, trying to eliminate them, but as that was never successful, I learned to accept the fact that they exist, they aren't going anywhere, and they are irrational and not to be acted upon. That is the most important part...irrational and not to be acted upon. It may take some time, and my advice is layman's at best. Although meds and therapy honestly didn't help me, I saw the vast majority of my fellow patients both inpatient and out, greatly helped by one or both. If distraction helps, by all means engage in something distracting. If it gets too much to handle, get to the ER. Truth be told, I kinda' miss the weeks and months I spent inpatient. One of the only places I felt like I fit in.

I can relate to what your saying about fitting in inpt., I felt the same way when I was inpt in July.

[David866]

Originally Posted by Parks

I can relate to what your saying about fitting in inpt., I felt the same way when I was inpt in July.

Yea...it's kinda' funny(weird, not ha ha) when you get homesick for the psych ward. But, I really did feel at home. Safe and secure. Oh well...

[gruvingal]

I get what you are saying about the Psyc Ward. I am 53. My parents sent me to one when I was 14. I felt so safe because I knew what was going to happen every day. Consistency makes for comfort! I try to make sure I have a few things in my life that are the same every day. I have dogs and I have to take care of them so there is one thing! I didn't start to have the suicidal thoughts until right before I was diagnosed at 35. The meds have always helped until I became unable to work and in terrible pain about two years ago. Since then the old tapes have been playing in my head and they won't shut off! I've been working with a therapist and it seems that once I opened Pandora's Box everything came flooding out faster than I could handle. I also have a son on meth who I haven't talked to in over a year and my Dad is fighting brain cancer. I feel like most of my life has been spent putting out fires and I can't keep up anymore! That is when I really need to get out of myself and think about somebody who is worse off than I am! I'm not homeless and there is food on the table. The other side of my mind says "So what!" "Why me?" I could go on. Sometimes I just want to step out from in between the two and slap them both silly. And then I remember! I am in control of my thoughts and actions. If I tape over the old tapes long enough (like a cassette) the old one is still there, you just can't hear it as loud!

[LastQuestion]

I focus on a problem I need to solve in order to improve my situation. Though I've honestly just grown accustomed to thoughts of suicide.

I accept suicide as an action I can use to cease being unbearably miserable. To me this life is all there is, so if I am incapable of deriving meaning from it then continued actions attempting to do so are entirely futile. When will that point be? I don't know, and until I do I'll continue trying to solve one problem after another.

I read my favorite bible verse's and the thought goes away

[doyoutrustme]

I watched a particularly gruesome documentary on YouTube about suicide, and what it does to people. And then I imagine putting my loved ones in that situation.

[Parks]

Originally Posted by doyoutrustme

I watched a particularly gruesome documentary on YouTube about suicide, and what it does to people. And then I imagine putting my loved ones in that situation.

I also try to imagine the impact on my loved ones, especially my wife. That pretty much shoots the idea in the foot, so to speak. At the price of making myself nauseous though.