Health Information
Warning Signs of Suicide in Adults
Topic Overview
The following warning signs may be present in adults who have a high risk for suicide:
- Reference Depression Opens New Window or other mental health condition, such as severe Reference anxiety Opens New Window, Reference bipolar disorder Opens New Window (manic-depressive illness), or Reference schizophrenia Opens New Window
- Depression followed by sudden cheerfulness and contentment, which may mean the person has made a decision to finalize a Reference suicide plan Opens New Window
- A previous suicide attempt
- Reference Alcohol or substance abuse Opens New Window
- Preoccupation with death in conversations
- Giving away personal possessions
Factors that may increase the risk of suicide include having:
- A family member who has committed suicide.
- A family history of depression, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia.
- A history of physical or sexual abuse.
- Diagnosis of a serious medical illness.
- Failing relationships.
- A divorce.
- A recent life change, such as a death of a spouse or other member of the family, marriage, break-up of a marriage, the birth of a child, a job loss, a job promotion or demotion, or legal problems.
FDA Advisory. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Reference advisory on antidepressant medicines and the risk of suicide. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using these medicines. Instead, a person taking antidepressants should be watched for Reference warning signs of suicide. This is especially important at the beginning of treatment or when doses are changed.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference November 29, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Reference William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Reference David Messenger, MD |
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