Suicidal Thoughts or Threats - Check Your Symptoms
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.
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health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms.
See
significance of a recent suicide attempt if you need
information to help you answer the question below.
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health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms.
See
significance of considering suicide but not having a plan if you need information to help you answer the question
below.
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health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms.
Have you recently tried to commit suicide?Note: Report all suicide attempts, even minor attempts that do not cause an injury, to your health professional.If a suicide attempt has caused a minor injury, see the appropriate injury topic for first aid measures. If you are not able to talk with your health professional immediately, call your local suicide hotline or the national suicide hotline 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255.
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Are you considering suicide, but you do not have a plan?Note: If you are unable to reach your health professional immediately, go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department.If you are not able to talk with your health professional immediately, call your local suicide hotline or the national suicide hotline 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255.
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Do you think about suicide much of the time?Note: If you are unable to reach your health professional immediately, go directly to the nearest hospital emergency department.If you are not able to talk with your health professional immediately, call your local suicide hotline or the national suicide hotline 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255.
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Do you think that someone you know has made suicide plans?Note: If you are not able to talk with your health professional, call your local suicide hotline or the national suicide hotline 1-800-273-TALK or1-800-273-8255.
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Have your symptoms of depression not gotten better after starting treatment or medicine for depression, but you are not sure when you should start to feel better?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately.
You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.
Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.
You do not need to answer any of the other questions.
You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.
An appointment today is usually needed.
Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.
Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours.
You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.
If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.
Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.
Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
symptoms.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
November 29, 2010
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
