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However, there is often a period of time between the initial crisis and the act of suicide itself. During this time, the individual may appear to be feeling better. At first glance, it may not make sense. Why would someone who is feeling better attempt suicide? However, for people struggling withdepressionor other mental health disorders, this is a very real phenomenon.

Crisis SupportIf you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.988

Crisis Support

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

988

They may not actually be feeling better

Just because someone appears to be doing well on the outside doesn’t mean they’re feeling better inside. Often, people who are considering suicide will put on a brave face in order tohide their true feelingsfrom the world. Even though they may have found a way to hide their pain, they may still feel the same on the inside.

For some people, the thought ofliving with that painfor the rest of their lives is too much to bear, and they see suicide as the only way out. So, even if someone seems to be doing better, it’s important tocheck in with themand ensurethey’re OK.

They may believe that their problems are insurmountable

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 4.9% of people aged 18 and older experienced suicidal thoughts in 2020. The rates increase if someone is of two or more races which may reflect dealing with more social turmoil than others.People who experience suicidal ideation often feelhopelessandhelplessas a result of believing that nothing will get better.

Their attempt may actually be a cry for help

The answer may lie in what’s known as the “suicide gesture.” A suicide gesture is an act that is intended to get attention but not necessarily cause death. It’s a way ofcrying out for help.

Sometimes, people who make suicide gestures are actually hoping to be stopped. They may not be ready to die, but they feel like they can’t go on living and don’t know what else to do to find relief. At times, they may not have been taken seriously when they talked about how they felt or asked for help.

If you’re feeling like this, it’s important to seek help directly. Talking to a therapist or counselor can be a great way toget the help you needwithout resorting to desperate measures.

They may be afraid of what might happen if they don’t make an attempt

They may be afraid of what otherpeople will think or sayif they don’t go through with it, or they may be afraid that they’ll never have the courage to try again. Sometimes, people see attempting suicide as a way of showing others how serious they are about dying.

They may have unresolved trauma or dangling loose ends in their life

Some people experiencedeep shame and guiltover past traumatic experiences, and it seems they can’t escape their wounds or find adequate solutions. Even if they’re no longer in pain, they may still feel like they haveno purpose or direction in life.

In a national U.S. survey conducted in 2021 and published inJAMA Psychiatry,it was shown that lower educational attainment and a recentfinancial crisiswere risk factors for suicide attempts.For some people, suicide may seem like the only way to escape their current situation.

They may have an undiagnosed mental illness

Mental illness can causemood swingsand periods of highs and lows. Just because someone appears to be doing well doesn’t mean that they’re not struggling with mental health issues. Adiagnosis of depression,posttraumatic stress disorder, andborderline personality disorder,in particular, has been shown to be a risk factor for suicide attempts in both men and women.

Press Play for Advice On Dealing With Trauma

They may feel like others will be better off without them

Even though things may have seemed better for a while, they feel like there’s no point in trying anymore because nothing will ever change. They may believe they are a burden to those around them and that everyone would be better off without them. They believe their death is the only way to end their own, as well as their family and friend’s pain and suffering.

How Involuntary Hospitalization for Depression Works

They may not have a support system in place to help them through difficult times

When people are feeling suicidal, they often feel like they’re all alone in the world and that no one cares about them. This can be especially true for those who have previously attempted suicide.If you don’t have anyone to turn to when you’re feeling down, it’s important to reach out to asuicide hotlineor otherhelpful resources.

How to Create a Suicide Safety Plan

They may have been holding it together for others.

In addition, they may finally have the strength to attempt suicide after years of holding it together for the sake of others.

They have already decided that they will commit suicide

Someone may have already decided to carry through with suicide but want to make sure they leave things in order before they do.They seem OK because they know relief is coming.

Final Thoughts

If you or someone you know appears to be feeling better after a period of stress, it’s important to be aware that this doesn’t mean that they’re no longer at risk for suicide. In fact, this may actually be awarning sign. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please reach out for help.

Tips for Coping with Depression and Suicidal Thoughts

4 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide.García de la Garza Á, Blanco C, Olfson M, Wall MM.Identification of suicide attempt risk factors in a national US survey using machine learning.JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(4):398-406. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.4165Choi SB, Lee W, Yoon JH, Won JU, Kim DW.Risk factors of suicide attempt among people with suicidal ideation in South Korea: A cross-sectional study.BMC Public Health.2017;17(1):579. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4491-5Azcárate-Jiménez L, López-Goñi JJ, Goñi-Sarriés A, Montes-Reula L, Portilla-Fernández A, Elorza-Pardo R.Repeated suicide attempts: A follow-up study.Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2019;47(4):127-136.

4 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide.García de la Garza Á, Blanco C, Olfson M, Wall MM.Identification of suicide attempt risk factors in a national US survey using machine learning.JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(4):398-406. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.4165Choi SB, Lee W, Yoon JH, Won JU, Kim DW.Risk factors of suicide attempt among people with suicidal ideation in South Korea: A cross-sectional study.BMC Public Health.2017;17(1):579. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4491-5Azcárate-Jiménez L, López-Goñi JJ, Goñi-Sarriés A, Montes-Reula L, Portilla-Fernández A, Elorza-Pardo R.Repeated suicide attempts: A follow-up study.Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2019;47(4):127-136.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide.García de la Garza Á, Blanco C, Olfson M, Wall MM.Identification of suicide attempt risk factors in a national US survey using machine learning.JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(4):398-406. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.4165Choi SB, Lee W, Yoon JH, Won JU, Kim DW.Risk factors of suicide attempt among people with suicidal ideation in South Korea: A cross-sectional study.BMC Public Health.2017;17(1):579. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4491-5Azcárate-Jiménez L, López-Goñi JJ, Goñi-Sarriés A, Montes-Reula L, Portilla-Fernández A, Elorza-Pardo R.Repeated suicide attempts: A follow-up study.Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2019;47(4):127-136.

National Institute of Mental Health.Suicide.

García de la Garza Á, Blanco C, Olfson M, Wall MM.Identification of suicide attempt risk factors in a national US survey using machine learning.JAMA Psychiatry. 2021;78(4):398-406. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.4165

Choi SB, Lee W, Yoon JH, Won JU, Kim DW.Risk factors of suicide attempt among people with suicidal ideation in South Korea: A cross-sectional study.BMC Public Health.2017;17(1):579. doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4491-5

Azcárate-Jiménez L, López-Goñi JJ, Goñi-Sarriés A, Montes-Reula L, Portilla-Fernández A, Elorza-Pardo R.Repeated suicide attempts: A follow-up study.Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2019;47(4):127-136.

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