Why am I feeling overwhelmed?

There are many reasons why you could be feeling overwhelmed by your emotions. What is common to most suicidal individuals is a sense of loss.

This loss may include:

• A change for the worse, or it may be the fear that there may be a change for the worse.
• A loss of hope that things will improve in the future.

Sometimes if a person is unable to cope with the loss, they can experience an emotional crisis. This means that the loss/losses become overwhelming.

Am I experiencing emotional signs that I am in crisis?
Am I showing behavioural signs that I am in crisis?

If you are experiencing these feelings of loss, it is important to remember that the feelings are not crazy or unusual. Most people will feel this at least once in their lives. But you should find help for yourself to improve your coping strategies and reduce the pain.

Have I experienced loss recently?

A major change in your life (loss) can create a lot of stress and cause you to experience emotional pain. Here is a list of possible losses or changes often associated with feeling suicide:

• A key relationship unravelling or ending
• Crisis at home (abuse, divorce, financial, addictions)
• A severe change in social status or sense of belonging (rejection)
• Unemployment or loss of valued ability
• Fear of facing discipline (for example from school authorities or police)
• Trauma from sexual or other assault
• Trauma from serious illness or injury
• Interpersonal conflict

TOP

Am I experiencing emotional signs that I am in crisis?

Experiencing changes in your life, like loss, (see above) may create negative feelings or emotional states. These feelings may indicate that a person is in crisis:

• Depression: Nothings seems important anymore!
• Negative self-talk: I can't do anything right!
• Hopelessness: There's no point in trying!
• Overwhelmed: I can't take it anymore!
• Resignation & Relief: Everything is perfect now! Suicide seems to offer a way out of my pain.

If you are experiencing these kinds of emotion or think that you are in crisis, please talk 2 us. We can help.

TOP

Am I showing behavioural signs that I am in crisis?

When something stressful (like loss) happens in your life, your emotions are effected. As a result, you might find that you are behaving differently. These kinds of behaviours may indicate that a person is experiencing crisis:

• Increased use of drugs or alcohol
• Increased or decreased performance (school, work, hobbies, sports)
• Self-neglect (appearance of hygiene)
• Risky behaviour (self-destructive acts or acting out)
• Aggressive, violent behaviour (bad temper, crime)
• Isolation from friends, family, school or work
• Changes in energy level (up or down)
• Complaints about health
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Big changes in eating and/or sleeping habits

If you think that you are experiencing these kinds of behavioural changes, it's probably a good indication that you are feeling overwhelmed.

And remember, the best coping strategy is to communicate your feelings to another person.

You can reduce the emotional suffering you are experiencing. The first thing you might want to do to help yourself do this is to work on your coping strategies.