There is always a chance for a hopeful and positive future. Despite gaining more knowledge about mental health care and having better access to it, suicide continues to be a significant cause of death in the United States. In 2023, over 50,000 Americans died by suicide, setting a new record, according to NBCNews.com. The previous year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that more than 49,000 lives were lost to suicide.
Additionally, for every individual who takes their life, numerous others grapple with suicidal thoughts. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), in 2022, 1.6 million adults attempted suicide, and 13.2 million adults gave it serious thought. One type of these thoughts is known as passive suicidal ideation, which can greatly impact a person’s mental health. Let’s delve into its meaning and implications for you or someone close to you.
What Is Passive Suicidal Ideation?
Passive suicidal ideation refers to recurrent thoughts about death, dying, or suicide without any intent to act on these thoughts. This can manifest as a vague desire to die, with no concrete plan or means. Other passive thoughts might involve fantasizing about death, wishing for an accident or serious illness, or longing to disappear or having never been born.
How Does Active Suicidal Ideation Differ from Passive Suicidal Ideation?
Active suicidal ideation entails having a plan for suicide and being equipped to follow through. However, it isn’t always straightforward to recognize when thoughts shift from passive to active. As with many areas of mental health, definitions and classifications can help us comprehend and address these issues, but there frequently aren’t clear boundaries in personal experiences. As noted by Current Psychiatry, “Suicidal ideation, whether active or passive, encompasses a complex mix of conflicting thoughts and emotions along a spectrum of severity” that can fluctuate daily based on physical and mental health, and protective factors.
The distinction between active and passive suicidal thoughts is not always clear-cut. Suicidal notions can vary widely from person to person, and individuals may oscillate between passive and active thoughts due to their current life circumstances.
Even if passive ideation doesn’t escalate to active suicidal plans, individuals experiencing passive suicidal ideation might engage in reckless behavior, find themselves in hazardous situations, or neglect their physical well-being.
Is Passive Suicidal Ideation Dangerous?
It’s merely thoughts, right? So what’s the risk? The threat associated with passive suicidal thoughts is substantial. As previously mentioned, there is often no definitive line between active and passive ideation; passive thoughts can slowly or swiftly transition into active ones. Hence, it is crucial to address suicidal thoughts before they progress to actions.
Even if passive ideation does not lead to concrete plans for suicide, a person experiencing these thoughts might engage in reckless activities, expose themselves to risky situations, or disregard their physical health. Even if there are no immediate harmful effects, such thought patterns often reveal underlying mental health issues that hinder one’s ability to lead a fulfilling life.
What Causes Passive Suicidal Thoughts?
Various factors can lead to suicidal ideation, including:
- Mental Health – The most substantial risk factor for suicide is mental health. A history of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or other mental health issues increases the chances of experiencing suicidal thoughts.
- Physical Health – Living with chronic pain or a terminal illness raises the risk of suicidal ideation.
- Substance Use and Addiction – Research by Addiction Science & Clinical Practice shows that all forms of substance use elevate the risk of suicide, including tobacco use. Specifically, alcohol use disorder increases the likelihood of suicide by over ten times. Individuals who use both drugs and alcohol have a suicide risk more than 30 times higher than the general population.
- Life Events – Events such as loss, financial troubles, job issues, and many other stressors—whether big or small—can affect one’s thoughts.
- Medications – Certain medications, particularly those prescribed for mental health conditions such as depression, may contribute to suicidal thoughts. It is critical to monitor oneself or loved ones for any side effects when adjusting medications and to consult healthcare providers as needed.
- Demographics – Although demographics may not directly induce suicidal thoughts, they are linked. NIMH reports that young adults aged 18-25 experience the highest rates of suicidal ideation, especially among adults 18 and older, where “the prevalence of serious suicidal thoughts was highest among individuals identifying as having two or more races.” Addiction Science & Clinical Practice also indicates that the complex interplay between substance use and suicide disproportionately impacts women.
- Untreated Trauma – According to the CDC, individuals who have experienced childhood abuse, bullying, or sexual assault are at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
Passive suicidal thoughts in yourself or a loved one may also stem from temporary factors, like changes in weather. For instance, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can heavily influence thoughts and feelings. Similarly, certain holidays, such as Christmas and New Year’s, can evoke emotions of isolation, stress, or disappointment.
Individuals are at greater risk for suicidal thoughts and actions if they have faced childhood abuse, bullying, or sexual assault.
What Are the Signs of Suicidal Ideation?
It can be difficult to determine if someone you care about (or yourself) is struggling. As noted by Healthline, “No one can ever predict with total certainty whether someone will take their own life. Not even trained healthcare professionals can accurately foresee who will commit suicide. This is why it’s crucial to take any threats or thoughts of suicide seriously.”
Therefore, observe if any of the aforementioned risk factors manifest in yourself or a loved one. Check in with people who may be feeling sad, isolated, or having a tough time. Look for signs such as increased substance use, alterations in sleeping or eating patterns, or a decline in personal hygiene or daily routines. Most importantly, listen to and take seriously any expressions of passive or active suicidal thoughts.
What Should I Do If I Experience Passive Suicidal Thoughts?
If you notice signs of passive suicidal ideation in yourself or a loved one, it’s time to act. Early intervention could mean seeking professional guidance and receiving suitable treatment for mental health issues such as depression or substance abuse. This may include building life skills, achieving better financial stability, or obtaining improved care for physical health problems. Therapy can also be helpful in developing healthy coping strategies, employing techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to recover and reshape experiences.
Even without the immediate threat of suicide, these therapeutic options can substantially enhance your quality of life.
The time to seek help for suicidal thoughts is now. The Meadows provide mental health services for those facing suicidal ideation. Don’t wait until things seem dire. If you or a loved one is dealing with mental health struggles, addiction, or suicidal thoughts, take proactive steps immediately. The sooner you start treatment, the sooner you can begin to heal and improve your perspective on life. There is never a “too soon” to seek help, but there is a crucial “too late.” Please reach out to us today, and let us assist in connecting you with the right resources for your or your loved one’s recovery journey.