SUICIDE – THE DIAGNOSIS

SUICIDE – THE DIAGNOSIS

Suicide is an action taken by an individual who is struggling with a major mental health issue and experiencing symptoms of worthlessness and low mood, to name a few. Depression and/or anxiety are some mental health struggles that people who commit suicide have. You will not find suicide as its own distinctive mental disorder in the DSM-5 manual (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) or will you.

According to the DSM-5 manual, a new finding has been introduced, called SBD for Suicide Behavioral Disorder. SBD is defined as: the individual has made a suicide attempt within the past two years, the criterion for non-suicidal self-injurious behavior is not met during the attempts, the diagnosis is not applied to preparation for a suicide attempt, or suicidal ideation, the act was not attempted during an altered mental state, and the act was not ideologically motivated, according to the website -Theravive. (Suicidal Behavior Disorder DSM-5 – Therapedia (theravive.com))

I am pleased we are taking this additional step towards a better understanding of what suicide means because I was lost and confused after losing my teenage daughter to suicide in 2016. I understood she struggled with depression and anxiety, but to what extent, was beyond my recollection. Perhaps it is because a lot of individuals battle with depression and anxiety, but not all will die by suicide. So where is the correlation and disconnect between those who will die by suicide and those who will live with the detrimental effects of depression and anxiety.

In the past, suicide was thought of as a “symptom” or “an action”, stemming from an individual with a diagnosis of either major depressive disorder or borderline personality disorder. I had always thought that suicide should have its own diagnosis, rather than an occurrence.

It may be helpful, not only for the patient, but the clinician treating the patient because certain precautions can be quickly addressed.

This new diagnosis has the potential to have a huge impact on addressing the true symptoms and dangers associated with suicide and not only depression – ranging from mild to major. Perhaps this is one piece to better understanding suicide, is by addressing the actual disease, called suicide.

I continue to believe that by having this diagnosis it has the potential to bring some relief to the individuals struggling with SBD. Being misdiagnosed is frustrating, making a person feel even more alone and isolated, subsequently one of the warning signs to suicidal ideations.

Furthermore, having a diagnosis that targets the intended problem, helps those individuals say, “You get it, I feel less misunderstood, thank you.” Depression, by itself, is scary enough, but when you are diagnosed with mild depression but feel like your world is falling apart, it can create a panic within you that shouts out “I can’t do this anymore!”

I feel comforted in knowing that the field of psychology is making moves in a positive direction, looking for answers to our suicide statistics and why they are increasing instead of decreasing. We seem to be taking the correct steps to minimize the effects of suicide; however, the statistical numbers are not reflected in this effort. We live in a world where we are communicating more, speaking out about suicide and mental health, yet we are still losing innocent people to this disease called suicide. We are missing something, but what is the common link? However, I am hopeful, as a society and individually, that we are making a positive impact. If we all fight this battle together, as a community, I have faith that we will find a cure for this horrific disease, called suicide.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts or ideations, it is NOT too late. Visit the NAMI website (National Hotline for Mental Health Crises and Suicide Prevention | NAMI) or text 988. As always, remember to be kind to those whom you encounter during the day. You never know what they may be going through. May is Mental Health Awareness Month.

Please keep Grayson Murray’s family, friends, and community in our hearts, we lost him to suicide this past May 25, 2024!