Educational reference
About this symptom
Thoughts about death, self-harm or suicide vary widely. They range from a passing wish not to be here, through recurring thoughts about dying, to thoughts about ending one's life with intent or planning. They may be fleeting or persistent, and their presence does not by itself indicate what a person will do.
These thoughts occur across many conditions, most commonly in depressive conditions, and also in anxiety, trauma-related conditions, and in circumstances of severe distress, pain or loss. They are more common than most people expect, and many who experience them never act on them.
They are, nonetheless, something to take seriously and to talk about. Discussing suicidal thoughts with a professional does not make them more likely; it is how support and appropriate care begin.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please see our crisis resources page for how to find urgent support in your location. If there is immediate danger, contact the emergency services available where you are.