According to the National Institute of Mental Health, any of the above scenarios display behaviors that should concern you.

Other actions to watch for include:

● Talking about having no reason to live
● Feelings of hopelessness
● Talking about shame, guilt, or unbearable physical or emotional pain
● Feelings of being or becoming a burden to loved ones
● Talking about death/wanting to die
● Increased use of drugs or alcohol
● Constantly acting agitated or anxious
● Complete social withdrawal
● Poor sleeping/eating habits
● Being conflicted about feelings of rage/talking about seeking revenge
● Extreme mood swings
● Writing stories or poetry about death
● Saying an emotional goodbye to friends and family for no reason
● Making a will or giving away personal possessions

Risk Factors

The Suicide Prevention Resource Center points out that suicide doesn’t discriminate. Although risk factors vary by culture, sexual orientation and age, there are a few that are applicable to nearly all suicidal people. These include:

● Previously attempted suicide
● Mental health disorders
● Access to guns, drugs or other lethal means
● Family history of suicide
● Loneliness and unintentional social isolation
● Chronic/terminal disease or disability
● Inability to access behavioral/mental health care
● Drug use and abuse

Substance Abuse and Suicide

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration cites drug and alcohol abuse among the top three risk factors for suicide. Additionally, those with a proclivity toward drug abuse often suffer with a dual diagnosis, meaning that they have a separate mental health condition co-occurring with a substance abuse disorder. This greatly increases a person’s risk of suicide or attempted suicide.

The National Addiction Institute explains, “When a person with a substance use disorder is also suffering from a mental health disorder, it is critical that they carefully manage both disorders to ensure that a relapse from one to the other does not occur. Once both disorders are fully active, the person’s condition can turn life-threatening.” Unfortunately, this demographic is often overlooked by society that continues to view substance abuse as an action instead of a disease. But pushing past these social stigmas and receiving help for both disorders is paramount to an addict’s recovery and ability to overcome suicidal thoughts.

How to Help

If you or someone you love has displayed any of the above behaviors and is actively contemplating suicide, seek help immediately. Call 911 or visit an emergency room. If you don’t believe there is immediate danger, you can still help. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a friend or family member you believe may be struggling with feelings of taking their own life. More than anything, do not berate the individual and tell them you believe they are simply trying to seek attention.

Attention may be exactly what they need. A person who is feeling suicidal may believe they are invisible to the outside world. They may have been told repeatedly that their opinions, thoughts, and feelings don’t matter. Sometimes, all it takes is a friendly face and a listening ear to get past the lowest point. Once the crisis has passed, you can help your friend by encouraging them to seek help for their depression. Remind them that their intense sorrow is a temporary situation and that there is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel.

Resources that may help circumvent suicide include:

Suicide Prevention Services of America (630) 482.9696
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) (800) 656-HOPE
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ) (866) 488.7386

Visit LiveScience.com for more resources including information on prevention and suicide statistics.

You are not helpless. If you fear a loved one is at risk of self-harm, stop pretending their pain will go away on its own. Reach out and offer a helping hand. You may save a life.

Please click here to read Caleb Anderson’s other pieces.

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Why Users Use

For many drug abusers, their journey into addiction begins with what they perceive to be a harmless experimentation. However, after their first high, many users believe their substance of choice is doing them more good than harm. Over time, a chemical dependency develops which can fundamentally alter a person’s brain function. They fixate on those initial good feelings. Compounding the problem is that it may take more and more of the drug to get there. As a user’s tolerance increases, his or her connection with reality begins to dwindle. This is where other issues and destructive behaviors begin.

Drugs and Domestic Violence

Addicts and alcoholics often become physically and mentally abusive to those they love. They may be angry that their spouse cannot supply them with enough money to support their habit or annoyed that children have woken them from a drug-induced sleep. The American Society of Addiction Medicine reports that between 40% and 60% of domestic violence cases are steeped in substance abuse. Even men and women who show no penchant for violence may become abusive as they fall deeper and deeper into addiction.

Addiction Affairs

Drug addiction and alcohol use can lead to extramarital affairs. The reasons are varied but often center around social acceptance and seeking someone who condones these bad behaviors. An affair triggered by addiction has nothing to do with the addict’s love for their partner, which is one of the hardest things to accept once recovery begins. Drugs, alcohol, and infidelity are equal opportunity issues that don’t discriminate based on race, social status, or income. This is evidenced by the high-profile breakup of Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom.

The Road to Relationship Recovery

Recovery from addiction is a long and hard road. When marred by other complications, it is a road that may seem impossible to travel. Couples wishing to re-establish a bond must understand the first step is looking at the situation as honestly and openly as possible. Unnegotiable is that the drug use must end so that the addict can comprehend his or her actions. Drug rehabilitation therapy is a good place to start. This is offered in both inpatient or outpatient treatment centers that will offer the addict an opportunity to detox and cope with the physical symptoms of withdrawal. If both partners are willing to communicate with one another, there is hope that the relationship may continue.

Atonement

The chemically-altered brain is not wired to ask for forgiveness. It doesn’t see how the addict’s behavior affects his or her loved ones. However, once the addict clears their head, they must make amends for their actions. Asking for forgiveness – and being honest about everything – is a good place to start. It will take time, but otherwise strong relationships may be able to reestablish trust if the addict is willing to be active and intentional in their recovery.

When the Relationship Dies

While small infractions in either of the three A’s (addiction, abuse, affairs) may be forgivable, sometimes, a combination of the three will damage the relationship beyond repair. When the addict won’t completely admit their issues, is unwilling to change, or when the victim of the situation simply can’t look at their partner in the face anymore, separation may be the best course of action. This outcome, while unfortunate, does not necessarily have to viewed as a strict negative. Ending a relationship can be a new starting point for both parties and may serve as a milestone and reminder to each that change is an inevitable part of the healing process.

Please click here to read Caleb Anderson’s other pieces

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A patient with familial hypercholesterolemia visits his doctor and has his cholesterol levels tested. The doctor finds his LDL (bad) cholesterol levels are much higher than the HDL (good) levels, so he asks a few questions…

He asks the patient about his habits, if he’s been avoiding fatty foods and smoking.

The patient says, “no.”

The doctor then asks if the patient has been active, if he’s been getting regular exercise.

Again, the patient says, “no.”

The doctor pushes on, surely the patient has been taking his prescribed medicine, correct?

Alas, the patient says, “no.”

The Stigma’s Damage

It seems pretty unbelievable that someone with a genetic predisposition to a health problem like high cholesterol wouldn’t change his lifestyle or even take his prescribed medication to help manage his illness, right? If it seems off-base for a patient to behave this way as a reaction to a physical illness, why do people think it’s correct to behave this way when they have a mental illness?

Even in this modern age, mental illnesses are surrounded by stigma. Whether it comes from internal or external influences, because of the stigma, people have a harder time accepting that they are are struggling mentally. That lack of acceptance can often lead to avoiding the problem rather than being proactive towards healing. While the argument that we should treat mental and physical ailments exactly identically is not without its flaws, one way we should undoubtedly be handling them the same is through taking personal responsibility for both our mental and physical wellbeing.

Importance of Taking Care of Mental Health

Your mental wellbeing impacts everything in your life. It impacts your family and relationships. It affects your professional life and job performance. Not to mention, it has a huge influence on your overall physical health.

• Mental Health & Relationships: Some of the common symptoms of mental illness include mood swings, withdrawal, strong feelings of anger, and other behaviors that can affect relationships. Family members begin to feel like they almost don’t know you anymore and relationships are strained.
• Mental Health & Career: Sometimes, the symptoms of mental illness can make it difficult to perform at the office. For instance, people with depression often lack the motivation to be productive.
• Mental Health & Physical Health: Your mental wellbeing is strongly connected to your physical health. Those with poor mental health are more likely to suffer from chronic physical ailments and vice versa.

How to Nurture Your Mental Wellbeing

If you struggle with your mental health or feel that you may possibly, there are various things you can do to be proactive in your recovery or get answers. The first is to talk to a medical professional about how you are feeling and your concerns regarding your mental wellbeing. Your doctor may tell you to implement a few lifestyle changes to see if they help before turning to medication. However, for some people, medication is necessary, and that’s okay, too! There is no one-size-fits-all treatment, so it’s about finding what is best for you.

While there is no universal approach to treating mental illness, there are some generally accepted practices of healthy habits that improve one’s mental wellbeing:

• Exercise and be active
• Be social and connect with loved ones
• Take up a new hobby and learn something new
• Practice mindfulness
• Be giving and/or volunteer
• Get enough sleep
• Avoid drugs and alcohol
• Develop positive coping skills

Health is Health

Just like everyone gets sick now and again, we all – at least to some extent – struggle with our mental wellbeing as well. However, the mental illness stigma can cause people to retreat and avoid doing the things necessary to feel better. It’s important to be as proactive about caring for your mental state as you are in caring for your body when you are sick. Not doing so can affect your relationships, career, and even your physical wellbeing. Certain things – such as exercise, mindfulness, and positive thinking – help to maintain your mental wellbeing. However, if it’s getting difficult making it through the days, it may be time to get a professional opinion and assistance. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment, but it’s necessary to put forth the effort to find what works best for you. Not putting forth that effort will all but ensure that improved mental health isn’t achieved.

Please click here to read Caleb Anderson’s other pieces.

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