Narcissistic abuse causes survivors to feel attacked, trapped and fully stuck in a situation that feels like absolute hell. And sure, suicide is a complicated final action to choose, but it’s unfortunately a risk for survivors of narcissistic abuse.
Nobody wants to commit suicide and it takes time to develop the courage to go through with it. It’s not that easy of a decision to make so some people don’t just wake up one morning and decide they want to kill themselves. Those people require help, lots of help, and sometimes you can’t be around them because they can hurt themselves or others around them.
Depression Needs to Be Taken Seriously During and After Narcissistic Abuse
Depression is one suicide warning sign to watch for when someone has been abused by a narcissist. When yoou’ve been experiencing neglect and emotional distress, being humiliated and subjugated — this kind of life can sow the seeds of suicide. Characterized by erratic mood swings, loss of interest in hobbies and activities, depression is a very serious emotional disorder affecting about 9.5 percent of the nation. Worse, if someone is going through narcissistic abuse, chances are higher that they’re depressed.
Narcissistic Abuse is Pervasive
Narcissistic abuse can be hard to spot at first. It’s not like a physical wound that you can see, or an emotional wound that’s obvious right away. It’s something that takes time to develop, and you won’t even notice it happening at times. This is why mental health is so important: taking care of yourself and knowing the signs of suicide warning signs can help protect the people around you who might be struggling with suicidal thoughts or feelings. Learn more about how to spot narcissistic abuse.
Depression Suicide: Warning Signs to be Aware of
Here are some signs to know if your loved one is considering suicide as a result of depression.
1. Mentions of Suicide or Death
2. Wanting to tie up loose ends or give away personal belongings
3. Engaging in reckless behavior such as heavy alcohol and drug use
4. Withdrawing from family and friends
5. Erratic mood swings
6. Inappropriately saying goodbye.
7. Verbal behavior that is ambiguous or indirect: (for example: “I want to go to sleep and never wake up.”, “I’m so depressed, I just can’t go on.”, “Does God punish suicides?”
Though the signs and warnings may vary from person to person, it is important that you are able to recognize such warnings and take some steps to help your loved one.
Helping a loved one who is showing signs of Depression Suicide
If you believe someone is contemplating suicide do seek help immediately, however, there are several suicide prevention websites and hotlines available to help those in need, but in case these are not within your reach, you can try the following:
1. Cultivate Physical Closeness: Simple hugs, kisses on the cheeks, loving pats and compliments go a long way in healing a broken heart or depressed mind. Remember, sometimes the little things DO count.
2. If the person is acutely suicidal, do not leave him or her alone.
3. Remember: suicidal behavior is a cry for help. Thus if someone contemplating suicide turns to you, it is likely that he believes that you are more caring and more informed about coping with depression, and more willing to help. This in itself is positive, thus it will be time to empower yourself to be what a suicidal person views you to be; stronger and you are.
4. Other steps to take include reassuring them that help is available and that with appropriate treatment they can feel better. Try not to patronize them by simply telling them that “everything will be fine,” or that “they have everything to live for.
5. Try to search the house for dangerous items such as guns and knives that could be potentially harmful.
In addition to the factors above, if you are of a spiritual inclination, this will be a good time to pray according to the framework of your faith. Indeed, prayer when used effectively can work wonders to aid in curtailing depression suicide.
Moreover, in the hopes that your loved one begins to show signs of improvement from the warnings indicating depression suicide, it will be great to start to include such drug-free approaches for depression treatment such as exercise: namely Yoga, a proper diet for physical health which in turn heals the mind and positive thinking and affirmations.
Naturally, we all would get concerned or frightened if a loved one seems on the brink of suicide resulting from depression, however as with all life’s problems, if we can catch it early and nip it in the bud, depression suicide can be prevented. If things may have gotten more advanced, then it may be time to seek professional help or as an alternative double up on our efforts to steer the loved one back to a positive outlook on life.
Related resources
- Suicide-Prevention at QueenBeeing.com
- Is your anger eating you alive?
- Love a narcissist? This is why you feel like you’re living in a fog
- When a Narcissist Has a Bad Day: Why You Always Get the Brunt of It
- ADHD, Anxiety, and Narc Abuse: How are they connected?
