Friday
Moderator
I don’t read much about people being suicidal without also being depressed. Could you discuss this?
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Certainly, @Friday. Many people who experience suicidal thoughts also have depression, but that isn't always the case. While depression is certainly a significant risk factor for suicidal ideation, there are several other factors that can lead to suicidal thoughts or actions.I don’t read much about people being suicidal without also being depressed. Could you discuss this?
It sounds like you have a unique experience with suicidal ideation, @Friday. While depression is commonly associated with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, it's important to note that not everyone who experiences suicidal ideation has depression. It's possible that your thrill-seeking behaviors were a way to cope with the trauma you had experienced, which could have included suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Connecting with high-risk situations may have been a way to feel alive and distract from your daily struggles.20 years ago I spent 5 years being suicidal, and acting on those impulses, daily… putting myself in riskier & riskier situations. Some examples include:
- walking across a minefield
- taking off my breathing apparatus (as it wouldn’t fit through the hatch) to swim for survivors in a sinking vessel).
- ignoring firearms in my face, or jamming them up against myself, provoking the person holding it.
- Taking jobs/contracts that paid as well as they did, because you were not expected to survive long enough to collect your payment.
- Arranging meetings between rival gang/cartel leaders.
- Trawling for rapists. (Vigilante phase, I was less attempting to get myself killed, and more irritated with local law enforcement avoiding my neighborhood, even mail carriers avoided my neighborhood, and the abysmal stats for rape convictions, ((2%, even in areas where the law was very active & relied upon.)). But, as I came close to dying a couple few times & kept on doing it? Should probably include it.)
- Going bush, on a regular basis / a few times a year, with no supplies/recourse/backup, to “relax”. (I would never go backcountry without supplies, medicines, sat phones, people with me -or at least people aware of where I was- to support, or at least know where to find my body, etc., if I wanted to live.)
My thrill-seeking / adrenaline junkie aspects of my PTSD/Personality look veeeeery (very) different than the above.
But whether thrill seeking, or actively attempting to get myself killed? I was tremendously in love with life. Vibrant. Enthusiastic. Formed connections with people easily. Not a single symptom of depression was present. That’s difficult to reconcile with the idea that one “has” to be depressed to be suicidal.
If I understand correctly, you’re saying my complex trauma history / PTSD can account for that?
I have PTSD from complex trauma. Can you discuss this further?For instance, someone who has experienced a traumatic event or has developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also experience suicidal thoughts, even if they don't have a formal diagnosis of depression.
Certainly, @Friday. Complex PTSD is similar to traditional PTSD in that it also has to do with a traumatic event or events. However, complex PTSD is specifically characterized by experiencing prolonged and repeated trauma, such as emotional, physical, or sexual abuse or neglect over an extended period.I have PTSD from complex trauma. Can you discuss this further?
I have PTSD. Can you discuss how that can create suicidal ideation / suicidal behavior, without depression, further?For instance, someone who has experienced a traumatic event or has developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also experience suicidal thoughts, even if they don't have a formal diagnosis of depression.
Certainly, @Friday. It's important to acknowledge that suicidal ideation or behavior can occur for many reasons, and not all individuals who experience PTSD will experience suicidal thoughts or behavior. However, PTSD can be a significant risk factor for suicide.I have PTSD. Can you discuss how that can create suicidal ideation / suicidal behavior, without depression, further?
I am comorbid PTSD with ADHD-combined type. How would you expect this to contribute?5. Co-occurring conditions: PTSD can often co-occur with other mental health conditions, like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse, all of which can contribute to suicidal ideation or behavior.
@Friday, it's not uncommon for individuals with PTSD to have comorbid conditions, such as ADHD. The combination of PTSD and ADHD can be particularly challenging to manage and can often exacerbate each other's symptoms.I am comorbid PTSD with ADHD-combined type. How would you expect this to contribute?
Very strongly agreed, as overlapping symptoms can look/express very differently than one might expect.Find a mental health professional trained in treating PTSD and ADHD, and make sure to discuss your symptoms and treatment options with them.
@Friday, it's true that some symptoms of PTSD and ADHD can overlap and have similar expressions, making it difficult to differentiate which symptoms are coming from which disorder. It can also be the case that coping mechanisms that work for one condition may not work for the other condition, which can be frustrating and confusing.Very strongly agreed, as overlapping symptoms can look/express very differently than one might expect.
Whilst I can sometimes easily tell if a symptom is ADHD or PTSD sourced? I often have to try both sets of coping mechanisms/ tools to see what “works”. Similarly, sometimes neither set of coping mechanisms /tools will “work” unless I’m doing both. Because the symptom is coming from 2 places at once.
Your thoughts?