(Samson Midigo is a columnist who writes about self-development)
Ashley Boynton, Ph.D., therapist and suicide researcher once observed that "50 per cent of people will experience some form of suicidal thoughts in their lifetime.”
You have a choice whether to allow suicidal thoughts to settle down in the mind. So how do you detect and deal with suicidal thoughts?
Here are five ways to detect and deal with suicidal thoughts.
1. Steer clear from suicide-triggering situations
Imagine driving a car without breaks. You are unable to stop at the intersection or slow down on sharp bends. What do you do coming up to the red light? Plough into the car ahead or jump out to save your skin?
Walk away from potentially compromising situations which trigger suicidal thoughts. If you are living solo, go out and visit with friends. You will be amazed that the suicidal thought disappears when your mind is not in it.
2. Slow down life’s activities
Your business has taken a nose dive. You have a court case filed by your ex-wife over custody of the kids. Your heart is sprinting, the head is spinning and the ears are ringing.
Stop and take a deep breath. Slowing down your pace of activities to take deep breathes allows oxygen into the brain and provides the opportunity to shift your focus from the pressure at hand.
Take five deep breathes and exhale slowly to regain composure. Hold your breath to a count of seven after the fifth breath, exhale in slow motion for five seconds.
Try it out and watch what happens.
3. Shift attention
You are drained of energy. The muscles are tense. If this situation continues, the dangers of suicidal thoughts loom large in the horizon.
You have two choices here; to shape up or sink into despair. Whatever you do, the outcome rests with you always.
Simple body exercises to relax could save you heaps. Relaxation provides the opportunity to shift attention from the difficult situation at hand. Use the hands to massage areas of the body, such as the neck, back, arms, shoulders to ease tension.
In the process, the brain goes into a temporary relaxation mode.
4. Seek assistance
You have family and friends all around you willing to help. Let them know you are struggling with suicidal thoughts.
If family and friends are out of reach, call a Healthline in emergency cases. Reach out for a helping hand.
There is someone out there waiting to assist. In the final analysis, the outcome rests with you.
5. Talk to yourself
You do this all the time whenever you come up to a challenging situation.
You have talked yourself out of a nasty situation before. You can do it with suicidal thoughts.
Whether this is the first time you are having suicidal thoughts or they have been on and off, you can detect and deal with them calmly.
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