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What should I do when my depression starts getting severe or I start having suicidal thoughts?

73 Answers
Last Updated: 08/11/2020 at 11:21pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Stacey Kiger, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

My belief is that therapy is not about giving advice, but joining you on your journey

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
October 29th, 2014 4:23pm
Please, please, please feel free to message me any time you like. I will do my absolute very best to help you out. (: Otherwise, talk to a real counselor or contact a suicide hotline. You are loved and I may not know you but I'd be sad if you died!
Tess1982
September 29th, 2014 1:12pm
You're not alone; many of us have had suicidal thoughts at some point in our lives. Feeling suicidal is not a character defect, and it doesn't mean that you are crazy, or weak, or flawed. It only means that you have more pain than you can cope with right now. This pain seems overwhelming and permanent at the moment. But with time and support, you can overcome your problems and the pain and suicidal feelings will pass. Even though you’re in a lot of pain right now, give yourself some distance between thoughts and action. Make a promise to yourself: "I will wait 24 hours and won't do anything drastic during that time." Or, wait a week. Thoughts and actions are two different things—your suicidal thoughts do not have to become a reality. There’s is no deadline, no one pushing you to act on these thoughts immediately. Wait. Wait and put some distance between your suicidal thoughts and suicidal action. Even people who feel as badly as you are feeling now manage to survive these feelings. Take hope in this. There is a very good chance that you are going to live through these feelings, no matter how much self-loathing, hopelessness, or isolation you are currently experiencing. Just give yourself the time needed and don’t try to go it alone. Many of us have found that the first step to coping with suicidal thoughts and feelings is to share them with someone we trust. It may be a friend, a therapist, a member of the clergy, a teacher, a family doctor, a coach, or an experienced counselor at the end of a helpline. Find someone you trust and let them know how bad things are. Don’t let fear, shame, or embarrassment prevent you from seeking help. Just talking about how you got to this point in your life can release a lot of the pressure that’s building up and help you find a way to cope.
KKGunner
November 16th, 2014 5:03am
Get an empty box. Write down the numbers of suicide and crisis hotlines on notebooks you use frequently. Write a list of reasons to live. Fill a photo album of all the good memories you had. Write postcards to yourself. Fill the box with these. When you feel suicidal, go to this box. Next, make a safety plan. Write a list of all the things you'll do when you are suicidal. Go to the emergency room. Call a hotline. Talk with your friends. Tell your family about this plan. Tell your friends. Tell everyone you trust. And the next time you are suicidal, tell the same people you told your safety plan to and they will help to calm you down.
HANN1BAL
October 25th, 2014 6:33am
Suicidal thoughts can be dodged. I have been through the same thoughts. Walking helps alot. Take a walk outside with people around and let all that frustration flow out. Change of environment changes perception.
FactsFollow
July 21st, 2015 6:32am
As soon as you notice that your depression is becoming severely detrimental, then I believe it would be best to tell a friend or someone you're close to about your depression. Holding in your depression and how you feel will not do any good AT ALL. In fact, holding all your emotions in without any sort of release will be extensively agonizing, and will do more harm than good. Besides, talking to someone who you trust will likely not do any harm. If talking to someone about your depression isn't of your interest, then you could possibly take part in hobbies or maybe get a membership at a local gym! Going to the gym would allow you to get your mind off your depression, get physically AND mentally fit, and you would be surrounded by people, which may result in you not feeling lonely. Listening to music is always helpful when it comes to depression, however, it cannot be the sole form of relief. Surrounding yourself with friends or people you enjoy being around with would help you find happiness in the world around you. Going to the gym can result in you being physically fit, which would in turn improve your self-confidence and help release some toxic hormones, meaning improving your overall well being (mental health included!).
Miiiranda987
November 9th, 2014 3:48am
Everyone has different coping mechanism but you could try to draw, write, listen to music or do anything that makes you feel happy. I would also consider talking to a professional because suicidal thoughts can be hard to get through alone.
smileforawhile
November 4th, 2014 8:51pm
If your depressions starts getting worse or you're having suicidal thoughts, I think it's best to see a therapist or another professional. There are so many people that are willing to help you. There are so many resources available that can help you start enjoying life again.
NikiTaylor
October 14th, 2014 2:58am
Talk to the important people in your life about this and see a professional. Depression and suicidal are really difficult to go through alone and it helps to know that there are people out there who are there for you and want what's best for you, even if you might not be able to see what's best for you at the moment.
jona20
October 18th, 2014 8:13am
Try for one last day... each day before you give it all up. When someone starts to feel it's the end, what he/she really want is to be saved and listened to. And many can relate to you so stay strong, you're not alone! Love.
introvertedfriend
August 21st, 2017 6:12am
Try to do something physical. I usually take a run or do jumping ropes. I don't recommend reading books or Watching movies as these never worked for me. But when I do something physical I take my mind off from these thoughts. Also after the run, I have the urge to eat something, which I don't do when I am depressed. Try those. I hope you find those working.
Rachael44
September 15th, 2014 5:42pm
Call a hotline! If you are in immediate danger a suicide hotline or 911 are the best resources to use! People within these services are trained to help you and will have the best effect on the situation.
LubaMariya
September 28th, 2014 7:13pm
I should search for a professional help and someone to talk to and find activities that fill my time and give me pleasure to get away from my thoughts. The best way is to find an alternative and start thinking about positive things. Another way is to keep a journal about my thoughts and how I feel and what I want to do.
SarahKeaunah
September 24th, 2014 4:33am
I've suffered from depression for a very long time. I can't count my suicide attempts on two hands. But I know that when I was feeling at my lowest, it really helped me to either call the suicide hotline and talk to one of them, or to call a close family member or friend to come be with me until I was forsure I was okay.
pie
October 2nd, 2014 2:30am
Try talking to a therapist, or someone close to you whom you trust. There are people who want to help you get well!
Ven
October 25th, 2014 2:43pm
One thing: Ask for professional help. It won't make you insane or anything. It's just a precaution for you to not hurt yourself or anybody.
Anonymous
May 22nd, 2015 2:55am
Seek professional help immediately.. Surround yourself with loved ones or find a close relative or friend you can confide in and open up to them..talking to someone about what youre going through helps tremendously with these thoughts and feelings
gentlePresence70
March 6th, 2017 8:20pm
When you begin to start feeling really depressed or you feel like you're being push to a suicidal point you should either call the therapist talk to a very close friend maybe they could help you a little bit or there is a suicide hotline that you can contact.
Louisiana
September 20th, 2014 8:07pm
Take a deep breath and speak to either someone you trust or seek qualified help from someone else. I have found listing the little things that make me happy also helps and lets you focus on the positive things in life.
Anonymous
January 25th, 2016 9:18pm
Talk to someone and vent to them if they are willing. Add logic to your thoughts if its nessecary...
compassionateCat90
August 8th, 2016 10:40am
Take slow, deep breathes and think about what option will work best for you. You could call a suicide hotline and see if talking to someone would help, go to a doctor or therapist and see what they'd recommend. If it's that bad you might need medication to help with it and if you're already in medication you might need to try something else. The most important thing is to keep any dangerous objects out of reach, get to a safe place, and find help in whatever way you feel most comfortable. Even if it's talking to a close friend and asking them to take you somewhere to speak with a trained professional. Stay safe love and best of luck
Iwillalwayslisten05
October 26th, 2015 4:34pm
Start talking to people about how I'm feeling. Tell them I need help to get through it. Be around people who make you feel safe and and can help you
Anonymous
September 7th, 2015 2:52pm
Do you have anyone that you can talk to? A therapist, or mentor? I would talk to someone you trust if you start having thoughts of suicide.
PoliteOcean
August 31st, 2015 6:08am
The best thing to do is to try to contact a crisis hotline such as the National Suicide Prevention site. You can google the number. There are trained listeners who can help you through that difficult feeling and situation that you are experiencing.
brirose23
July 7th, 2015 1:31am
You could go out and get some fresh air. Find a nature trail in your area or somewhere in the city that you haven't been before. Get your mind clear of those negative thoughts!
Anonymous
June 17th, 2015 2:30am
Seek medical attention or see a therapist. They can help you through it and talk about it and support you.
Maricellac
June 17th, 2015 3:11am
Talk to ur parents/guardians, about seeing a professional. No ones life is worth throwing away, and if ure having such thoughts its best to get the the root of why your having those thoughts.
WarmHeart22
July 6th, 2015 5:11pm
When your depression or suicidal thoughts aggravate, seeking professional help is critical. If I were in your shoes, I would seek out hotlines, crisis counselors, and therapy because those methods are more advanced to support in that situation. Therefore, I would like to say to this person how amazing and wonderful they are and you are definitely better than your depression, so I hope you stay strong and fight through this rough patch you're going through.
Anonymous
August 10th, 2015 12:03pm
Think about things that make you happy. If you can't do that, think about people that make you happy. If you can't do that, do something that makes you happy. If you can't do that, be with the people that make you happy. If you can't do that, let all your feelings out by ranting to someone or writing them down somewhere. If you can't do that, hug a teddy bear.
smilejade
July 13th, 2015 8:56pm
If your depression is getting severe and you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, if your not already seeing someone to talk about your feelings then I suggest you seek help to get things off your chest. It can take a while to open up to someone but once you can open up to the person it may help.
Anonymous
August 10th, 2015 7:05am
It's always a nice idea to seek help when it gets to that stage. If you can, you should always talk to a therapist or a professional who could guide you in this matter. However, if that's not possible, online help could be taken where most of it's free and easy to schedule.