Hospice workers, patients are at risk for suicide
People in occupations involving high stress or high burnout rates, such as hospice care, are at risk for suicide, advises the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). People having unrelenting long-term pain or a disabling or terminal illness also are at risk, ACEP says.
Occasional passing thoughts about death or suicide usually are harmless, particularly in people who otherwise seem healthy and happy, with no signs of depression, mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse, or crises in their lives, However, any persistent thoughts of or conversations about wanting to die or committing suicide should be taken seriously, ACEP advises.
While predicting whether someone is serious about committing suicide often is difficult, notes ACEP, certain vulnerabilities should be considered. Risk factors for suicide include:
- a prior suicide attempt;
- alcohol or drug problems;
- mental illness (such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other psychiatric conditions involving rational thought loss);
- a family history of substance abuse or mental disorder;
- family violence, including physical or sexual abuse;
- firearms in the home;
- arrest or incarceration;
- recent release from a psychiatric treatment facility;
- the recent suicide of a relative, friend, co-worker, or classmate;
Warning signs of suicide include:
- feeling depressed, down or excessively sad;
- feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, or having no purpose in life, along with a loss of interest or pleasure in doing things;
- a preoccupation with death, dying or violence, or talking about wanting to die;
- seeking access to weapons, medications, or other means of killing oneself;
- wide mood swings (feeling extremely "up" one day and terribly "down" the next);
- feelings of great agitation, rage, or uncontrolled anger, or wanting to get revenge;
- changes in eating and sleeping habits (including sleeping too much or too little);
- changes in appearance, behavior, or personality, including withdrawing from family members and friends or suddenly becoming outgoing when the person is typically shy;
- risky or self-destructive behavior, such as taking illegal drugs or driving recklessly;
- sudden calmness (when the person had made the decision to end his or her life);
- life crises, traumas, or setbacks (including difficulties at school, work, or in relationships, job loss, divorce, death of a loved one, financial difficulties, or diagnosis of a terminal illness).
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