Suicide Behaviour and Recognising

[Patti]

Who is most likely to commit suicide?
Suicide rates are highest in teens, young adults, and the elderly. People over the age of 65 have the highest rate of suicide. Although women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to be successful. Suicide risk also is higher in the following groups:

Older people who have lost a spouse through death or divorce
People who have attempted suicide in the past
People with a family history of suicide
People with a friend or co-worker who committed suicide
People with a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
People who are unmarried, unskilled, or unemployed
People with long-term pain, or a disabling or terminal illness
People who are prone to violent or impulsive behavior
People who have recently been released from a psychiatric hospitalization (This often is a very frightening period of transition.)
People in certain professions, such as police officers and health care providers who work with terminally ill patients
People with substance abuse problems
What are the warning signs for suicide?
Following are some of the possible warning signs that a person may be at risk for suicide:

Excessive sadness or moodiness — Long-lasting sadness and mood swings can be symptoms of depression, a major risk factor for suicide.
Sudden calmness — Suddenly becoming calm after a period of depression or moodiness can be a sign that the person has made a decision to end his or her life.
Withdrawal — Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities also are possible symptoms of depression. This includes the loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person previously enjoyed.
Changes in personality and/or appearance — A person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behavior, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance.
Dangerous or self-harmful behavior — Potentially dangerous behavior, such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life.
Recent trauma or life crisis — A major life crises might trigger a suicide attempt. Crises include the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems.
Making preparations — Often, a person considering suicide will begin to put his or her personal business in order. This might include visiting friends and family members, giving away personal possessions, making a will, and cleaning up his or her room or home. Some people will write a note before committing suicide.
Threatening suicide — Not everyone who is considering suicide will say so, and not everyone who threatens suicide will follow through with it. However, every threat of suicide should be taken seriously.

[lookout]

Hi Patti,,,it's true to say that not a lot was known in1985 about schizophrenics and the connection with suicide. In fact,,it would appear that not a lot was known about very much to the uninitiated.
As we know,,Sheila's bed had not been slept in,,,another symptom of those with chronic psychological disturbances,,,,insomnia. Sheila would " erupt " in the early hours of the morning.
That family must have experienced a living Hell at times because of the unpredictability of Sheila's moods,,,made worse by not confiding in anybody outside the family,,,excepting the various GP's who were " treating " Sheila. Who,to this day can still get it wrong. Poor poor girl,,,she was so very ill,,,and it's sad to think that had she lived,,,she would have been receiving better treatment today to enable her to manage her life in a less archaic  health system.
Sadly,,there is no doubt that Sheila committed those murders,,,,given what we all know about suicides among young mothers and also mothers to be.
The loss of her babies,,,her abortion,,,her marriage break-up,,,her reliance on drugs,,,her debts ( through drugs ) her religious fanatic of a mother ( June ) no money,,,all pointers helping to create a complete breakdown.
Lastly,,,a complete misunderstanding of her illness,,,which quite honestly disgusts me. Even poor Jeremy wasn't fully conversant with Sheila's illness to call her " a nutter ".It wasn't his fault that he didn't know at the time. How many 24 year olds knew back then,,,or even now.? All Jeremy knew was when his father called for assistance with Sheila during one of her " bouts ". 
 

[Jane]

Who is most likely to commit suicide?
Suicide rates are highest in teens, young adults, and the elderly. People over the age of 65 have the highest rate of suicide. Although women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to be successful....................
 

Patti, such a brilliant and informative post.

Sadly, for many families of depressives, they breath a sigh of relief when the depression lifts and their loved one shows signs of having more energy, but it's the slight lift from the bottom of the trough which often results in suicide.

That family must have experienced a living Hell at times because of the unpredictability of Sheila's moods,,,made worse by not confiding in anybody outside the family,,,excepting the various GP's who were " treating " Sheila. Who,to this day can still get it wrong. Poor poor girl,,,she was so very ill,...........
 
The loss of her babies,,,her abortion,,,her marriage break-up,,,her reliance on drugs,,,her debts ( through drugs ) her religious fanatic of a mother ( June ) no money,,,all pointers helping to create a complete breakdown.
. 
 

Lookout, that poor girl, her life was a catalogue of horrors with tragedy heaped on tragedy. I imagine she must have felt terribly alone. You are entirely correct when you say things "were made worse by not confiding in anyone outside of the family" It suggests to me that they were ashamed of her and it would have rubbed off. It's widely believed that internalized emotions eventually find their way to the surface in the form of physical/mental illness. I know it's an "if only", but if she'd had therapy, or at least had someone in whom she could confide, her life may have been entirely different, to the point were it wouldn't the cause of speculation it now is.

[Patti]

I thought this thread would be appropriate to post this link...It shows you a test done on the drug   Haloperidol and its effects on the suicide scale. It's quite alarming.

http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/haloperidol/suicide+attempt

[Patti]

It is also 76 years today since my Aunt committed suicide. She bathed, did her hair, put her best clothes on clothes and placed cushions on the floor; laid down and opened the gas pipe from the cooker and died as a result. 

[Jane]

It is also 76 years today since my Aunt committed suicide. She bathed, did her hair, put her best clothes on clothes and placed cushions on the floor; laid down and opened the gas pipe from the cooker and died as a result. 

Patti, how sad. Sending you hugs xx

[Patti]

Patti, how sad. Sending you hugs xx

Hi april, bless you, but it is OK. There is a lot more to it than that, for years the family blamed her husband, and I must admit it, when i researched it, it did look suspicious, there is no doubt about that. Sadly there is nothing anyone can do....

[Steve_uk]

Who is most likely to commit suicide?
Suicide rates are highest in teens, young adults, and the elderly. People over the age of 65 have the highest rate of suicide. Although women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are more likely to be successful. Suicide risk also is higher in the following groups:

Older people who have lost a spouse through death or divorce
People who have attempted suicide in the past
People with a family history of suicide
People with a friend or co-worker who committed suicide
People with a history of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse
People who are unmarried, unskilled, or unemployed
People with long-term pain, or a disabling or terminal illness
People who are prone to violent or impulsive behavior
People who have recently been released from a psychiatric hospitalization (This often is a very frightening period of transition.)
People in certain professions, such as police officers and health care providers who work with terminally ill patients
People with substance abuse problems
What are the warning signs for suicide?
Following are some of the possible warning signs that a person may be at risk for suicide:

Excessive sadness or moodiness — Long-lasting sadness and mood swings can be symptoms of depression, a major risk factor for suicide.
Sudden calmness — Suddenly becoming calm after a period of depression or moodiness can be a sign that the person has made a decision to end his or her life.
Withdrawal — Choosing to be alone and avoiding friends or social activities also are possible symptoms of depression. This includes the loss of interest or pleasure in activities the person previously enjoyed.
Changes in personality and/or appearance — A person who is considering suicide might exhibit a change in attitude or behavior, such as speaking or moving with unusual speed or slowness. In addition, the person might suddenly become less concerned about his or her personal appearance.
Dangerous or self-harmful behavior — Potentially dangerous behavior, such as reckless driving, engaging in unsafe sex, and increased use of drugs and/or alcohol might indicate that the person no longer values his or her life.
Recent trauma or life crisis — A major life crises might trigger a suicide attempt. Crises include the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or break-up of a relationship, diagnosis of a major illness, loss of a job, or serious financial problems.
Making preparations — Often, a person considering suicide will begin to put his or her personal business in order. This might include visiting friends and family members, giving away personal possessions, making a will, and cleaning up his or her room or home. Some people will write a note before committing suicide.
Threatening suicide — Not everyone who is considering suicide will say so, and not everyone who threatens suicide will follow through with it. However, every threat of suicide should be taken seriously.

Such a sad case and an indictment of the society in which we now live. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/heartbreaking-note-left-by-couple-before-they-jumped-off-cliff-holding-hands/ar-AA1Nq6Qb?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=68d848ba2d504cd88791874c2fccd023&ei=14

[ILB]

I think a lot if not most men struggle to express how they feel, bury themselves in work or the drink culture as means of escapism. I think there's an old stigma for men that your the one that's ' got to keep it together " no matter how hard it is. Its something I recognised a lot growing up in Sheffield in the 70s and 80s.

[Steve_uk]

I think a lot if not most men struggle to express how they feel, bury themselves in work or the drink culture as means of escapism. I think there's an old stigma for men that your the one that's ' got to keep it together " no matter how hard it is. Its something I recognised a lot growing up in Sheffield in the 70s and 80s.

When I checked the figures the suicide rate was at its highest in 1988. There's a whole range of issues: feeling that life is getting on top of you, that you're missing out, you've lost socioeconomic status, you can't live up to expectations the family exert upon you.

Graham Thorpe, Gary Speed, and only a few days ago Ricky Hatton (worth £35 million). Sometimes there are no signs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66279661

[ILB]

When I checked the figures the suicide rate was at its highest in 1988. There's a whole range of issues: feeling that life is getting on top of you, that you're missing out, you've lost socioeconomic status, you can't live up to expectations the family exert upon you.

Graham Thorpe, Gary Speed, and only a few days ago Ricky Hatton (worth £35 million). Sometimes there are no signs: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66279661

Missing out is a big thing, a breakdown of a relationship, mounting debts to name a few.

Its very much down to the individual.

[snow66!]

Missing out is a big thing, a breakdown of a relationship, mounting debts to name a few.

Its very much down to the individual.

Forty years in jail, ILB?
29th sep 1985!

[ILB]

Forty years in jail, ILB?
29th sep 1985!

Yes, 40 years ago right about now hed either be on the ferry on the way back or in police custody just about.

DS Jones and co crashed into a bunch of French holidaymakers on the way to get him.at Dover.

Jeremy Bamber today is officially Ellis Boyd Redding.

[Steve_uk]

This is a tragic case. One wonders how nursing staff are expected to supervise a patient 24/7 with so many ongoing issues. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/health/other/nhs-trust-pleads-guilty-after-teenage-girl-absconded-from-24-hour-care-and-killed-herself/ar-AA1PhJCg?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=68ffcf7110ec49a198011d228afe666b&ei=9

[Steve_uk]

These stories are very hard to read: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/devoted-dad-of-four-took-his-own-life-as-direct-result-of-council-s-actions/ar-AA1Pkq5V?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=69008e53199d43a992e1dca71eab3359&ei=10