Dear Sinking, I can't say that I "know", but this is what I think. I have had thoughts of suicide for at least 20-25 years. One time driving home from work I was feeling so tired (and thinking back) also depressed that I felt like I needed someone to help me and I wanted to talk. I went to my GP who eventually linked me up to a psychiatrist. I think if a person is thinking about suicide there must be some measure of depression. For me, suicidal thoughts are usually comforting. I get tired of life and its problems, big and small. It's not only my behavour and thoughts that bother me, but I get tired if members of my family have difficulty, even if in reality the problems are minor. Example, my niece and sister had an argument, it was resolved quickly, but I can't let it go. I heard about the argument yesterday, I'm worried that they won't like each other that there will a break in the family. I'm worried that my other sister doesn't pay enough attention to her husband. I'm worried that another neice sometimes does not have loving thoughts about her mother. I get mad at myself because I think that I am a bad person, who is lazy and that I'm not really sick, that I have power to manipulate people so that they think that I'm sick when I'm not. I also feel that I'm never good enough, when I was working I worked long hours perfecting my projects. I am not happy with myself. All these thoughts pile up and if more fuel is added like being tired and not cleaning the house or myself, and binge eating. Then I think about suicide. Too many thoughts, no way out, I want the relief of not living and thinking. One of the things I think about is, if only I never existed, then nobody would morurn me. I also don't want life after death, just complete nothingness, no thoughts, just nothing. Sometimes I think about suicide alot, I'm very deep into it and then the thoughts subside and then go away. Eventually they come back. Sorry, this was a long story about me. I think if a person thinks about suicide then they are depressed and are having difficulty coping with their thoughts and coping with the stresses in their lives. I'm waiting for a hospital bed right now. I wait everyday for the phone call. If I don't reply again, it just means t

thank you maggiee. this sounds a lot like him. chronic low grade depression and he's been going through a cycle of major depression and became suicidal. he went off his meds cold turkey. he's currently hospitalized and trying other meds, but only so that they will release him. he believes that suicide is a person's right and he can sure argue his case with anyone. is the suicide ideation related to the major depression/dysthymia, or do you think it's something separate? i really appreciate the time you are taking to talk to me. thank you. sinking

Hi, I have dysthymia. It's a chronically low grade depression, but sometimes a person can have episodes of major depression. This has happened to me. My diagnosis also includes suicidal ideation. My experience has been that a person can have more than one thing wrong. There is a primary diagnosis and there can also be a secondary diagnosis. Hope this helps.

That's what I thought it was too- but they said the depression was another factor and this other thing was causing him to feel like he's off his oats. which is what is causing the suicidal thoughts...the depression and suicide were two seperate issues. hmm

Maybe it means he has disthymia? Not sure if the spelling is correct, but it's like a low , depressed mood, that never seems to go away. It doesn't hit that emergency level, he's just always low. Forgive me, I haven't read about it in a while, but I think that is what you are speaking of?

this is how the doctor described my boyfriend's condition. he said his depression was very low grade, but he suffered of something else (starts with a d) where one feels like they're always "off their oats". I have no idea what that means...any ideas?