Talking so much about negative thinking, irrational beliefs, and depression, we cannot ignore another very important, albeit difficult, topic – suicide.
We would be very pleased if this issue has never troubled you, but if you have ever thought that death is the only way out, or if you think so now, we want to support you and talk about it.
Unfortunately, many people face this problem. According to WHO (World Health Organization), about 800,000 to 1,000,000 suicides occur annually. And these are just the official figures.
The number of suicides throughout history exceeds the number of people killed in all wars combined. It's hard to believe, but it is so.
Depression plays a major role in this. Between 45 to 60% of all suicides on the planet are committed by people suffering from depression. A person in depression is 35 times more likely to commit suicide than in a normal psychological state.
Looking at these horrifying numbers, one feels uneasy, but we mention this not to scare you, but to show that there are many such people and, unfortunately, most of them, facing this problem, do not share their experiences, feeling ashamed and thinking that they are alone.
Thus, we want to say that suicidal thoughts are not a sign of weakness or inadequacy, and you should not be ashamed of them.
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People come to thoughts of suicide through different paths, but they typically share one thing in common: overwhelming emotional pain that makes death seem like the only salvation.
Such people may consider death as a means to escape pain and suffering, as life seems too hard, or as a way to stop being a 'burden' to loved ones.
Research has shown that an unrealistic sense of hopelessness is one of the main factors in the development of suicidal thoughts. Analyzing the thinking of such people, one sees a consistently pessimistic view of the world, and due to distorted perception, they feel trapped with no way out.
It seems to them that they have never been and will never be happy. But it is important to understand that hopelessness and despair are just symptoms of depression, not objective reality.
The decision to commit suicide is the result of the irrational belief that life cannot get better. But is everything really so hopeless? Are there proofs and one hundred percent guarantees that things will continue to be just as bad?
When you are suffering, it is hard to imagine living differently. Hearing the phrase 'think positive', you might think that your problems are not taken seriously, or you may feel guilty for not being able to handle the situation more simply.
You are not at fault. Your mind seems to be stuck in the mire of despair. Your pain and feelings are real, and you cannot just rid of them by trying to think of something good.
But let's just imagine for a second that the endless darkness surrounding you now is an illusion, dirty glasses through which you view the world.
Hold on to this thought, and let it be your ray of light in this impenetrable darkness. For, in reality, the darkness surrounding you is surmountable.
These are not empty words! There are numerous evidences of the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Currently, this approach is considered one of the most effective methods for treating suicidal behavior and is in the arsenal of many psychotherapists and researchers around the world.
A study published in the 'National Library of Medicine' summarizes the results of 15 experiments involving 29,071 people. According to this study, CBT was found to be the most effective method in preventing repeat suicide attempts in 87% of cases.
This is a very high rate. Of course, you will need to make a lot of effort to completely eradicate suicidal thoughts, but CBT is an effective tool for your efforts.
We will have a separate section where we will discuss how to overcome depression with CBT, there we will again consider in detail overcoming suicidal thoughts.
We do everything in our power to support your desire to live, but we cannot offer the same individual help that a professional psychologist can provide.
If you feel like you are on the edge, seek a specialist immediately!
The darkest time of night comes just before the dawn.
Thomas Fuller
Psychological consultations can be paid, but in most countries of the world, there are centers that provide free emergency psychological help. Take the first step towards your own happy life — seek help!
We understand that this is a serious step, one that is not always easy to decide upon, but it is precisely the specialist who can provide you the necessary support and teach you self-help skills.
We believe that with the help of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), you can take the path necessary to achieve your own positive worldview.
Life is not always easy, there are very difficult periods. But the world is vast and beautiful, and your life is priceless. Remember this. This world is worth living for!
