Title: How To Deal With Suicidal Thoughts - 7 Women Share Their Stories
Headings: How To Deal With Suicidal Thoughts—From 7 Women Who’ve Been There
How To Deal With Suicidal Thoughts—From 7 Women Who’ve Been There
“I’d tell myself if I could just survive the next 60 seconds, I’d be all right.”
What are the risk factors for suicidal thoughts?
Devastating life circumstances
Mental illness
Substance abuse
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Hormone swings
Being part of a marginalized group
A history of sexual abuse
A family history of suicidality
Self-harming behaviors
For every person who completes suicide, 25 attempt it, according to the AFSP.
Race
Isolation
How to deal with suicidal thoughts
What it's like to recover from suicidal thoughts
"I realized I deserved love and respect."
"Hypnotherapy cured my depression and PTSD."
"My dog saved my life."
"I realized it's okay not to be perfect."
"I learned my feelings were acceptable."
"I took things minute by minute."
"I accepted that I needed help."

Content: Having a mental illness doesn't mean you will commit suicide but it can increase your risk, especially when you feel that something isn't right in your head but you don't know how to fix it, he adds. Substance abuse
Booze and certain drugs are depressants and are a way to self-medicate when you're depressed, causing a vicious cycle that can end in a suicide attempt, Dr. Gandotra says. " When you're in an intoxicated state, you don't exercise good judgement and you're more impulsive," he explains. It can be even more dangerous when combined with being depressed or suffering a major loss. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Hormone swings
There are three times in a woman's life when she's at a far greater risk of suicidal thoughts or completion, due mainly to hormones, Dr. Gandotra says. If you suffer from premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), have had a baby or were pregnant within the last year, or are going through menopause, pay close attention to your feelings and seek help immediately if you start thinking dark thoughts, he says. Being part of a marginalized group
A sense of marginalization or oppression—identifying as transgender, for example—can also contribute to a sense of isolation or hopelessness. “ If one senses that they are a burden to others, feels isolated and alone, or feels that they have lost hope that life will get better, this can increase risk for suicidal thoughts,” says Boynton. A history of sexual abuse
Being the victim of sexual abuse, especially as a child, is known to increase someone's risk of suicide, Dr. Gandotra says.