Warning signs of suicide in adults

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Warning signs of suicide in adults

The following warning signs may be present in adults who have a high risk for suicide:

• Depression or other mental health condition, such as severe anxiety, bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), or schizophrenia
• Depression followed by sudden cheerfulness and contentment, which may mean the person has made a decision to finalize a suicide plan
• A previous suicide attempt
• Alcohol or substance abuse
• Preoccupation with death in conversations
• Giving away personal possessions

Factors that may increase the risk of suicide include having:

• A family member who has committed suicide.
• A family history of depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
• A history of physical or sexual abuse.
• Diagnosis of a serious medical illness.
• Failing relationships.
• A divorce.
• A recent life change, such as a death of a spouse or other member of the family, marriage, break-up of a marriage, the birth of a child, a job loss, a job promotion or demotion, or legal problems.

Credits

Last updated:	January 12, 2007
Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Lisa S. Weinstock, MD - Psychiatry
Editors:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer