Danger signs:
” Persistent sad or “empty” mood.
” Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, pessimistic or guilty.
” Substance abuse.
” Fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.
” Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns.
” Irritability increased crying, anxiety and panic attacks.
” Difficulty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
” Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts.
” Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.
” Talking about suicide.
” Preoccupation with death.
” Suddenly happier, calmer.
” Loss of interest in things one used to care about.
” Visiting or calling people one cares about.
” Making arrangements; setting one’s affairs in order.
” Giving things away.

Adolescents
” Physical symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, stomachaches, neck-aches, arms or legs hurt due to muscle tension, digestive disorders. (Ruling out other medical causes)
” Persistent unhappiness, negativity, irritability.
” Uncontrollable anger or outbursts of rage.
” Overly self-critical, unwarranted guilt, low self-esteem.
” Inability to concentrate, think straight, remember, or make decisions, possibly resulting in refusal to study in school or an inability (due to depression or attention deficit disorder) to do schoolwork.
” Slowed or hesitant speech or body movements, or restlessness (anxiety).
” Loss of interest in once pleasurable activities.
” Low energy, chronic fatigue, sluggishness.
” Change in appetite.
” chronic worry, excessive fear.
” Preoccupation with death themes in literature, music, drawings, speaking of death repeatedly, fascination with guns/knives.
” Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts.

Adults
” Persistent sad or empty mood.
” Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, guilt, pessimism, or worthlessness.
” Drug/alcohol abuse. (Often masks depression/anxiety.)
” Chronic fatigue, or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.
” Disturbances in eating or sleeping patterns.
” Irritability, increased crying; generalized anxiety (may include chronic fear of dying/convinced dying of incurable disease), panic attacks.
” Hypochondria – sufferer actually feels symptoms, they are real and not imagined.
” Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
” Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts.
” Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment – headaches, stomach problems, neck/back pain, joint pain, mouth pain.

Note: Many people feel that it is normal for elderly persons to be depressed. This is simply not true and is a very dangerous misconception. If you suspect an older adult is suffering from a depressive illness, he/she should have a thorough medical examination as soon as possible.
” change in eating and sleeping habits
” withdrawal from friends, family, and regular activities
” violent actions, rebellious behavior, or running away
” drug and alcohol use
” unusual neglect of personal appearance
” marked personality change
” persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, or a decline in the quality of schoolwork
” frequent complaints about physical symptoms, often related to emotions, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, etc.
” loss of interest in pleasurable activities
” not tolerating praise or rewards
A teenager who is planning to commit suicide may also:
” complain of being a bad person or feeling “rotten inside”
” Give verbal hints with statements such as: “I won’t be a problem for you much longer,” “Nothing matters,” “It’s no use,” and “I won’t see you again”
” Become suddenly cheerful after a period of depression
” Have signs of psychosis (hallucinations or bizarre thoughts).
No one single sign is a sure indicator of suicide. Look for a pattern and trust your instincts!