Dr. Dallas Auvil Discusses Recognizing Suicidal Warning Signs

Dallas Auvil MD, of the Good Samaritan Hospital Department of Psychiatry, discusses ways to recognize suicidal behavior and how to intervene if you do.

Recognizing Suicidal Behavior

When people feel depressed or overwhelmed, eventually these feelings may snowball into suicidal thoughts. “They feel painted into a corner and this is something they feel they can have control over,” Dr. Auvil tells Local 12’s Liz Bonis.

Suicidal individuals might make comments like:

• “I can’t take it.”
• “I wish I were dead.”

On the other hand, he also says that those planning a suicide often do online research.

Coincidentally, spending more time behind a computer screen, especially for young adults, has also been linked to depression. “If people are depressed, they want to isolate themselves,” Dr. Auvil points out. “Maybe they’re isolating themselves because they’re depressed, and not necessarily because of the screens, but because, maybe, that’s a refuge for them.”

What to Do if Someone Exhibits Suicidal Behavior

If you notice that a loved one is isolating him or herself, or spending more time on the computer, Dr. Auvil suggests encouraging them to seek human interaction. This interaction can be with family and friends, or someone who can offer professional help.