Suicide and Bipolar Disorder

It's a very scary topic, but one that needs to be discussed openly and taken very seriously. Suicidal thoughts are a symptom for many people suffering with bipolar and other mood disorders. With the right tools and coping methods, these thoughts can be distracted.

Sadly, there are some out there plagued with these terrible thoughts with no resources to turn to. And it is for these people and their families that I share this post and accompanying article.

When I was growing up, my mother threatened to kill herself almost monthly. It happened so often that I actually told her to, "...go ahead and just DO it!" Remember, I was only a teenager tired of dealing with her illness that none of us understood or knew how to help her cope with. Then I got a kick in the ass with reality when I realized she might have actually done it.

When I was twelve, my mom was seeing this loser of a man. He was twice her age, married with three grown boys and had no intention of every leaving his wife. He promised my mom endlessly that he would but it never happened. He was a waste of human flesh who knew my mom was sick, and knew just how to manipulate her into doing and believing whatever he wanted her to.

One night near the end of their relationship, I stopped him from beating her up (again). As I watched him walk away from the house (after threatening to call the cops on him), I went into the kitchen to find my mom holding a butcher knife to her arm over the kitchen sink. That scared the poop out of me because she didn't just verbally threaten to hurt herself; she was in the position to do it. I talked her down from it but reminding her of the other things she had to live for, but in retrospect, I was so lucky I had been there.

Sadly, my mom did end up killing herself eventually. A long, slow death through what booze, smoking, drugs and other bad choices had done to her body. But that night in the kitchen haunted me for the rest of my life. A few years down the road, I actually attempted suicide too. For those who have never been in that frame of mind, understand that death is an attractive alternative for those of us suffering with these disorders. To never have to feel these terrible symptoms again or the overwhelming feelings of lack of control is comforting in a crazy way. But it's not the answer.

Most people living with bipolar have a chance to live healthy, productive lives as they learn the best coping tools specific to their symptoms, take their meds and follow what their therapists guide them to do. Yes, there are some who can't seem to cope no matter what options they are given, but their lives still matter. It is so important to take all threats of suicide or suicidal thoughts very seriously, and to take action immediately. Even if all you do is bring your loved one's therapist over for him or her to talk to, do something.

This article is an important one. Writer Julie Fast discusses her own battle with dealing with suicidal thoughts and what it's really like. There are some very powerful tips in here that would prove useful to those dealing with this issues, as well as those who want to help. Click HERE to be taken to the article.

Feel free to share it with anyone you think may need it!