We’ve all said it, “crazy.” Lately there’s been a lot of conversation about what’s wrong with using the word “crazy” (or “nuts or “insane.”) It is an unfortunate truth that a lot of people use the terms “crazy” and “mentally ill” as if they were synonymous. They’re not. Mental illness is a blanket term that covers a wide array of mental conditions. “Crazy” is a loaded term that is commonly used to demean someone’s decision-making …
As a psychologist, I have seen the suffering and heartache that results from suicide. After a suicide there is plenty of anguish. Almost everyone who knew the person who died will feel some degree of guilt. Suicide creates long-lasting hurt, a pain that can go on for decades. But if you’ve never lost someone to suicide or struggled with thoughts of killing yourself, you may be asking, “What’s suicide got to do with me?” It is extremely common …
In Ep. 008 “Hospitalization for Suicide” we discuss important information when considering mental health treatment centers for someone who is at the bottom of “The Ramp” to suicide. Hospitalizing a loved one against their wishes is likely to result in you feeling guilty about the decision. Even when hospitalization is absolutely the right call, you may ask yourself questions like: Did I make the right decision? Will it be a terrible experience for them? What …
As described in Ep. 007 “How to Find a Therapist for Thoughts of Suicide,” working with a mental health professional who understands your culture is critical. Without understanding a client’s culture, counselors can unintentionally be insensitive towards their client’s values. (*Understanding someone’s culture doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be from that culture.) When we think of “culture”, images of people in traditional clothing and notions about racial groups may come to mind. Culture, though, …
First Responders & Suicide: The Culture Question Read More »
Suicidal people typically receive medications such as antidepressants as part of their treatment. This is because, in addition to thoughts of suicide, these individuals may also suffer from other symptoms: depression, sleeping problems, anxiety, disturbances in their thinking, and, possibly, difficulty in concentrating. Those who are suicidal are often are prescribed multiple medications (e.g. an antidepressant for suicide plus something for sleep or a mild tranquilizer and a mood stabilizer). The Good– The good thing about …
