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Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. 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.

Information presented in this article may be triggering to some people. 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.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) is a chronic mental illness that can be associated with significant disability and suffering. People with OCD often report serious relationship difficulties and problems at work.

For some people, especially those with other mental health issues,living with OCDcan become overwhelming, causing them to lose hope and contemplate or even attempt suicide.If you have afamily member or friend with OCDwho’s exhibiting potential warning signs of suicide, it’s important to know what to do.

OCD and Suicide

Factors that predict whether someone with OCD will attempt suicide include the severity of their OCD symptoms, the co-occurrence of depression, feelings of hopelessness, the presence of a personality disorder such asobsessive-compulsive personality disorder, and a prior history of self-harm, such as cutting. The risk of suicide also goes up if the person with OCD is actively usingdrugs or alcohol, isunemployed, or is socially isolated.

OCD, Self Injury, and Suicidal Thoughts

Potential Suicide Warning Signs

It’s not always easy to know if someone is going to attempt suicide, but there are a number of warning signs, including:

Why Do People Die By Suicide?

What You Can Do

Keep Communicating

Talk openly and frankly about what your loved one is feeling; talking about suicide doesn’t make it more likely that they will harm themselves. Don’t be afraid to express your feelings as well. If you’re scared and worried about your loved one, say so.

Ask Questions

Although it can be uncomfortable, ask frank questions about whether your loved one is thinking of suicide or self-harm. Inquire about other details, too, such as how and when they’re considering doing it, whether they have access to a weapon, or if they have stockpiled large amounts of medications, for example. This can help ensure that suicide does not become an untouchable subject.

Empathize, Don’t Minimize

As you might imagine, admitting suicidal thoughts or a suicide plan can be extremely difficult, embarrassing, and painful. Simply telling your loved one to “stop thinking about it,” “think good thoughts,” or even to “get over it” may make them feel even more rejected, insecure, and depressed. Let your loved one know that you understand how difficult this experience must be.

Getting Help

Suicide and suicidal ideation are serious, often requiring hospitalization and theassistance of qualified professionals. Should you feel your loved one is in immediate danger, accompany them to the hospital emergency department or wait with them until help (e.g., police or ambulance) arrives. In less urgent cases, help them access resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a support group, or amental health professional.

3 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.Singh H, Kashyap S, Sivakanthan A.An overview of obsessive compulsive disorder and suicidal behaviour.Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences. 2018; 9. doi:10.5958/2394-2061.2018.00029.0.Fernández de la cruz L, Rydell M, Runeson B, D’Onofrio B, Brander G, Rück C, Lichtenstein P, Larsson H, Mataix-Cols D.Suicide in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a population-based study of 36 788 Swedish patients.Mol Psychiatry. 2017;22(11):1626-1632. doi:10.1038/mp.2016.115American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Risk Factors and Warning Signs.Additional ReadingAlonso P, Segalàs C, Real E, et al.Suicide in patients treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a prospective follow-up study.J Affect Disord.2010;124(3):300-8. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2009.12.001Balci V, Sevincok L.Suicidal ideation in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.Psychiatry Res. 2010;175(1-2):104-8. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2009.03.012

3 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.Singh H, Kashyap S, Sivakanthan A.An overview of obsessive compulsive disorder and suicidal behaviour.Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences. 2018; 9. doi:10.5958/2394-2061.2018.00029.0.Fernández de la cruz L, Rydell M, Runeson B, D’Onofrio B, Brander G, Rück C, Lichtenstein P, Larsson H, Mataix-Cols D.Suicide in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a population-based study of 36 788 Swedish patients.Mol Psychiatry. 2017;22(11):1626-1632. doi:10.1038/mp.2016.115American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Risk Factors and Warning Signs.Additional ReadingAlonso P, Segalàs C, Real E, et al.Suicide in patients treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a prospective follow-up study.J Affect Disord.2010;124(3):300-8. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2009.12.001Balci V, Sevincok L.Suicidal ideation in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.Psychiatry Res. 2010;175(1-2):104-8. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2009.03.012

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.

Singh H, Kashyap S, Sivakanthan A.An overview of obsessive compulsive disorder and suicidal behaviour.Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences. 2018; 9. doi:10.5958/2394-2061.2018.00029.0.Fernández de la cruz L, Rydell M, Runeson B, D’Onofrio B, Brander G, Rück C, Lichtenstein P, Larsson H, Mataix-Cols D.Suicide in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a population-based study of 36 788 Swedish patients.Mol Psychiatry. 2017;22(11):1626-1632. doi:10.1038/mp.2016.115American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Risk Factors and Warning Signs.

Singh H, Kashyap S, Sivakanthan A.An overview of obsessive compulsive disorder and suicidal behaviour.Open Journal of Psychiatry & Allied Sciences. 2018; 9. doi:10.5958/2394-2061.2018.00029.0.

Fernández de la cruz L, Rydell M, Runeson B, D’Onofrio B, Brander G, Rück C, Lichtenstein P, Larsson H, Mataix-Cols D.Suicide in obsessive-compulsive disorder: a population-based study of 36 788 Swedish patients.Mol Psychiatry. 2017;22(11):1626-1632. doi:10.1038/mp.2016.115

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.Risk Factors and Warning Signs.

Alonso P, Segalàs C, Real E, et al.Suicide in patients treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a prospective follow-up study.J Affect Disord.2010;124(3):300-8. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2009.12.001Balci V, Sevincok L.Suicidal ideation in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.Psychiatry Res. 2010;175(1-2):104-8. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2009.03.012

Alonso P, Segalàs C, Real E, et al.Suicide in patients treated for obsessive-compulsive disorder: a prospective follow-up study.J Affect Disord.2010;124(3):300-8. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2009.12.001

Balci V, Sevincok L.Suicidal ideation in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder.Psychiatry Res. 2010;175(1-2):104-8. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2009.03.012

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