Suicidal Thinking Case Summary

This assignment is being submitted on June 13, 2016, for Professor Kehiante McKinley’s G148/PSY1012 Section 02 General Psychology course.

Suicidal ideation is a medical term for thoughts about or an unusual preoccupation with suicide. The range of suicidal ideation varies greatly from fleeting to detailed planning, role playing, and unsuccessful attempts, which may be deliberately constructed to fail or be discovered, or may be fully intended to result in death. Although most people who undergo suicidal ideation do not go on to make suicide attempts, a significant proportion do.[1] Suicidal ideation is generally associated with depression; however, it seems to have associations with many other psychiatric disorders, life events, and family events, all of which may increase the risk of suicidal ideation. Recurrent suicidal behavior and suicidal ideation is a hallmark of

Identify the Problem: April S is a 30 year old, divorced Afro-American female with one child seeking help to deal with feelings of suicide and depression. Client reports crying daily for the six months, difficulty focusing at work, inability to doing house chores (laundry, cleaning), isolating from family and friends, weight loss of 30 lbs. in the past two weeks without dieting,

J.F. is a 42-year-old, Hispanic male who was transferred to the behavioral center for suicidal ideation, in which he planned to hang himself with cable wires. He has a history of mental illness in the family. The patient’s mother has a history of bipolar disorder, and passed away when the patient was 37 years old. The patient was emotionally and abused by a family member when he was around 8-10 years old. He had attempted suicide as a teenager by trying to overdose on pills. His medical history includes diabetes, pancreatitis, and methamphetamine use.

In addition, for patients who are being treated for mental health problems or for those patients who I may suspect as being suicidal, I can work on gradually leading the patient to talk about their suicidality in order to get them to open up and gain their trust (Bryan & Rudd, 2006). For patients who have show suicidal thoughts or ideation in the past, I will work on treating the suicide as the behavior to change instead of focusing just on any comorbid mental health disorders (M. Class 4/10). I will focus on getting to know my patients better and the factors that have lead them to where they are in life. In order to help them the most, I will need to know their drivers and in order to do that, I will need to build rapport with them, so that they share with me. We will also work to build their coping skills, because I know how hard it can be to figure out coping mechanisms on your own especially when you are dealing with a crisis (M. Class

Sara has poor judgment/insight and poor decision making skills. She also demonstrates difficulty coping with sexual abuse she endured from her biological father, and struggles to communicate her emotions in outpatient therapy. There is also an extensive family history substance abuse and depression. Sara requires admission to a locked residential treatment center to facilitate mood stabilization and self-harm by addressing medication needs within the safety of a therapeutic

Mr. Lee is a twenty-six year old African American male who was referred for Mental Health Skill Building Services by his outpatient therapist due to him exhibiting the following psychiatric problems: depressed mood (daily); feelings of worthlessness (3-6x weekly); recurrent thoughts of death (2-3x monthly); (1) suicide attempt; diminished ability to concentrate and indecisiveness (daily); and markedly diminished interest in activities that once provided him with excitement (daily). Mr. Lee reported having a history of being diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder with Psychotic features. When asked to share some of his delusions and hallucinations they appeared to consist with typical depressive themes to include guilt, death, and voice telling

Mr. Samaan is a thirty-three year middle eastern male with a diagnosis history of Schizoaffective Depression Type and Aspherger and was referred for Mental Health Skill Building by an individual in his circle of support. Mr. Samaan has a history of psychiatric hospitalization starting in his early adulthood and reports his last hospitalization was about three years ago at St. Mary’s Hospital due to dealing with suicidal ideation. When asked if he was currently struggling with any feelings of suicidal ideation he reported that was no longer a problem area for him. Although, Mr. Samaan denied suicidal ideation a crisis safety plan was put in place for him and he was provided with the number for the crisis hotline. Aside from the history of suicidal

Mr. Saunders is a 32 year old male who presented to the ED and referred for an mental health evaluation by Dr. Kieth due to SI with plan to take pain and sleep meditation to end his life. with a gun. Mr. Saunders stated "I feel really sick and I'm very paranoid". He reports SI from stressors in his life and the feeling of hopelessness. Mr. Saunders reported that he has not had a job in a year and a half due to his medical condition and issues with his family. He expressed that he self mutilate to control his thoughts and behaviors. He reports he has been burning himself with cigarettes and a lighter over the past few days, with multiple visible burn marks on his arms. He denies current HI, however admits to having thoughts in the past. He endorses

Patient is a 53-year-old female who presented to the ED after a attempt to commit suicide by cutting both her wrist. Patient stated: "I don't care about my life, I can die and it would not matter to me." Patient becomes tearful and expresses when she was cutting her wrist she didn't die. LEO brought patient into the ED from DayMark recovery services under IVC. At the time of assessment, patient endorses feeling suicidal with a plan. Patient reports health, conflict with neighbors, and financial issues as the primary factors contributing to her current distress. Patient reports having a history of suicide attempts by overdose, the last being "years ago". Patient reports no hospitalizations from incidents. Patient reports a history of domestic

Background information: John Smith is a mid-sixties old Caucasian male residing at a rehab center for broken his foot. He was sent to the er for suicidal ideation and admitted to SBBH. Previously, the patient has received inpatient and outpatient treatments for depression. The patient has an ongoing struggle with depression and occasionally suicidal ideation for the past six years. The patient’s strengths include the following: motivated for treatment and spirituality; however, his weaknesses consist of being homeless, abuse substance, family conflicts, and mood disturbances. His barriers to treatment consist of being homeless, money, and no transportation. His interests and hobbies are hunting and fishing. His major source of income is Social Security and Veteran’s Benefits.

Barbara is a single white 46 year old female. Patient reports being depressed 15-20 times that have lasted a year or more in her life, with symptoms escalating in the past five months with suicidal ideation. She is employed but works sporadically, patient has children who have graduated from college and live with her.

The treatment plan should provide medication education and the importance of adherence, make sure that the patient understands her illness, is able to recognize the early signs, triggers and increasing symptoms, so that she can feel empowered and able to properly manage and incorporate learned coping skills. By helping the patient to recognize these issues, it will hopefully lead her to seek out the proper help she needs during a crisis. Resources and support during a time of crisis can range from a friend, family member, a crisis line, and even a healthcare provider, all of which may be able to help decrease stress and or anxiety (NAMI, 2015). At times of severe or acute crises, such as suicidal behavior, brief hospitalization might be required for the patients’

By the end of Family Based Services, Anna will improve her ability to regulate negative emotions as evidenced by experiencing a significant reduction of suicidal thoughts from daily thoughts, which impact her functioning to a manageable level (a "6" or lower on a 1-10 scale), by improving her ability to have open and honest discussions with her parents and trusted adults each week about her feelings and stressors, and finally, by reaching out to family members and friends to connect on at least 3 out of 5 occasions instead of isolating when she is feeling depressed and is experiencing perseverating suicidal thoughts.

Patient is a 34 year old female who presented to the ED with suicidal thoughts to walk out in front of traffic. Patient reports she was just release from jail no more than 90 days ago and has been without her medication for that time period.Patient reports that suicidal thoughts occur to her after her father kick her out the home after an argument. She reports after leaving she felt lost and was brought to the hospital after informing her fathers friend of her thoughts. Patient reports being very upset after leaving her father's home because she was only staying there for a few days.