If you’ve struggled with suicidal ideation what helped (besides medication)?

[Anonymous]

Thank you

[Anonymous]

Recognizing that it’s a hormonal issue helped me not dwell on it.

[Anonymous]

Also tracking my monthly cycle and knowing where I am on it and mentally preparing myself for everything, including suicidal ideation, mood swings, cravings, physical changes, that goes along with it.

[Anonymous]

Recognizing that prolonged sadness and discouragement are okay, that the clouds will break eventually.

It's okay to be sad for a long time. It doesn't mean that I should end it all.

[Anonymous]

A few things

1. Gratitude. I've always struggled with depression and anxiety and generally have a pretty good hold on it. When things get bad, I concentrate on the good. I also try to reframe the bad. Yes, my job can be stressful and mentally taxing. BUT I make a decent income, I have work friends, and my job is important
2. The guilt of who I would leave behind. I know this doesn't work for all and would probably make some worse. But when I was at my lowest of lows, I thought about what that would mean to DH, DS, and the people closest to me. And I don't mean the depression mindset of "they'd be better off without me" but the harsh realities of it. It stopped me
3. Recognizing when the ideations cropped up. It is definitely tied to my cycle and my anxiety and intrusive thoughts used to spike a week before my period started. It took my awhile to find a birth control that worked (i had side effects on several) but have found the generic Seasonal works best for me. I was shocked by how different my moods were.

[Anonymous]

Leaving my ex-husband.

[Anonymous]

Light therapy in the winter.
Exercising - walking mostly - EVERY SINGLE DAY. And finding a good podcast to listen to while doing it.
Avoiding sugar and alcohol.
Staying in touch with family and friends.

[Anonymous]

Routines, just creating a reasonable routine I can follow every day that includes some self-care, like reading a book, watching a funny TV show, eating something I like for breakfast every day, etc.

Bullet journaling. I do this specific-to-me version of bullet journaling when my depression is very bad and over the years I've found it helps when I'm right on the edge. Every night I make two lists of three items.

The first list is three "wins" from that day. These are often things as simple as brushing my teeth or getting dressed, but can also include stuff like not going on social media (huge trigger for me) or spending time with a friend.

The second list is three goals for the next day. Again, I am gentle with myself and keep it simple. When I've dealt with suicidal ideation, it's stuff like "make my bed," which is a simple task I've found genuinely helps me feel better and also keeps me from spending the day in bed. I build from there.

The three wins and three goals don't have to match up. If you don't complete your goals from the prior day, don't worry about it -- make a new goal. If you do complete them, it's a win. Sometimes wins are also surprises ("got an email from an old classmate today wondering what I'm up to" or "saw a rainbow").

The point of the exercise is to create forward motion and generate positive feelings around the recent past. It really helps pull me up and out.

Good luck, OP. I have been there more than once and gotten through it, I know you can too. I am rooting for you.

[Anonymous]

Vice. Food makes me happy. I’m obese now but the way I enjoy moments alone tasting new foods has kept me alive and well. I also hyperfixate and find something now I am looking forward to so that I can have good anticipation and research about it to occupy my time.

[Anonymous]

Time. Understanding that it will eventually get better. (I have bipolar and I’m over 50 so I am very aware now of how cyclical my mood issues are — when younger and newer to it, I wasn’t and hope was real hard to come by).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Routines, just creating a reasonable routine I can follow every day that includes some self-care, like reading a book, watching a funny TV show, eating something I like for breakfast every day, etc.

Bullet journaling. I do this specific-to-me version of bullet journaling when my depression is very bad and over the years I've found it helps when I'm right on the edge. Every night I make two lists of three items.

The first list is three "wins" from that day. These are often things as simple as brushing my teeth or getting dressed, but can also include stuff like not going on social media (huge trigger for me) or spending time with a friend.

The second list is three goals for the next day. Again, I am gentle with myself and keep it simple. When I've dealt with suicidal ideation, it's stuff like "make my bed," which is a simple task I've found genuinely helps me feel better and also keeps me from spending the day in bed. I build from there.

The three wins and three goals don't have to match up. If you don't complete your goals from the prior day, don't worry about it -- make a new goal. If you do complete them, it's a win. Sometimes wins are also surprises ("got an email from an old classmate today wondering what I'm up to" or "saw a rainbow").

The point of the exercise is to create forward motion and generate positive feelings around the recent past. It really helps pull me up and out.

Good luck, OP. I have been there more than once and gotten through it, I know you can too. I am rooting for you.

Not OP but thank you for this post it's helpful to me too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Recognizing that prolonged sadness and discouragement are okay, that the clouds will break eventually.

It's okay to be sad for a long time. It doesn't mean that I should end it all.

This. Better days will come.

[Anonymous]

Texting 988
Giving up alcohol
Gratitude lists
Helping someone else
Looking at pictures of my DS growing up

[Anonymous]

It might sound corny, but the quote, "suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem." Depression might not be temporary, but the lowest lows never last. I've experienced so many wonderful moments and it's given me the perspective that there is always something worth living for.

[Anonymous]

I got TMS therapy and it has worked wonders. For insurance to cover it you have to have tried several different medications without success and be suffering refractory depression, but if you can pay out of pocket you are good to go - however it is very expensive.

To maintain positive mental health I prioritize sleep hygiene, spend at least a half hour and usually longer in front of a lightbox every early morning, walk outdoors in the woods as often as possible, avoid watching news and spend a lot of time cuddling my wee collie dog.

Someone on this forum recommended the book Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts, which I got from the library but haven’t yet read. It looks good and is highly rated so you might want to check it out or buy a copy.