From dealing with workplace stigma to rebuilding self-esteem, here’s how to move forward with bipolar disorder after a crisis.
Editor’s Note: This content delves into sensitive topics that some readers might find distressing. If you or a loved one is experiencing significant distress or having thoughts about suicide and need support, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24-7. If you need immediate help, call 911.
Research indicates that among all mental health conditions, people with bipolar disorder have the highest rate of suicide, with estimates ranging from 10 to 30 percent. Suicide attempts are also frequent within our population, particularly among those who remain untreated.
Alongside bipolar disorder, many risk factors can contribute to suicide, including:
- A previous suicide attempt
- A serious illness or chronic pain
- Substance use
- A sense of hopelessness
- Bullying
- A family history of suicide
- Social isolation
- Easy access to lethal means
- Unsafe media portrayals of suicide.
While prioritizing prevention is crucial, we must also consider the aftermath: What happens when someone survives a suicide attempt? How can we support them?
Life After Surviving a Suicide Attempt
I’m a suicide survivor. My first attempt was back in 1981 when I was a college freshman. It stemmed from a severe psychotic disorder I developed at the time. I still remember the confusion I felt in the aftermath. Surprisingly, no one asked me why it happened. At home, after my release from the psychiatric hospital, my parents never discussed this with me. It was a taboo subject.
Fortunately, my care team arranged an aftercare plan for me, including follow-up visits with a psychiatrist.
I had two more attempts in the following years, but no one found out about them. Because I kept them to myself and didn’t confide in anyone — not even my therapist — my feelings of loneliness and disconnection only intensified.
I didn’t know anyone else who’d been through something like this and thought I was the only one who felt the way I did. In truth, I suffered in silence, lacking the coping tools to process the emotions tied to my experiences. If you’ve ever felt this way, know that you’re not alone.
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I also experienced a deep sense of shame afterward. I vividly recall an encounter with a high school classmate who bluntly said, “I heard you tried to kill yourself,” after the incident. I assumed that word had spread among my peer group and that, at least in my mind, everyone knew what had happened. I was crushed. How could I ever face them again?
This struggle stayed with me for quite a while. Regrettably, I lacked a proper support system. There was no one to offer words of encouragement — I was on my own. It would have helped immensely to have even one person acknowledge my pain and offer support.
When I look back at the first time I attempted to end my life, I am saddened. Although there were people trying to help me, I still felt disconnected. This was just my experience, and while treatment methods have evolved greatly since then, it’s still known that the risk of another attempt is increased in the period right afterward.
Dealing With Stigma and Returning to Work
The complexity of this issue largely stems from society’s reluctance to address suicide openly. The stigma around mental illness is compounded when suicide enters the equation. It’s not as if you can easily explain to your boss or coworker, after taking leave, “I was out because I tried to kill myself.” For those who’ve faced such a situation, the mere thought of returning to work can be daunting. This apprehension can trigger anxiety, which in turn can feed into depression, and the vicious cycle begins.
If you’ve found yourself in a similar predicament, here are a few things that can help you navigate conversations and also make a smoother transition back into your day-to-day life:
- You don’t owe an explanation to anyone. Share only what you’re comfortable with. This will depend on the nature of your relationship with the person. How you talk to a family member may differ from how you speak to a more casual acquaintance.
- Give yourself time to heal. A suicide attempt is traumatic. It can exacerbate existing mental health symptoms, creating additional challenges and intensifying feelings of low self-esteem and despair.
- Use your tools. During times like these, it’s essential to use every coping tool at your disposal — whether it’s tapping into your provider network or leaning into other natural supports like friends, family, or support groups.
- Learn from experience. Life’s challenges are often our most profound teachers. After an event like a suicide attempt, you can gain insights into the specific circumstances or symptoms that led to it. This is where professional support can be beneficial. By analyzing what happened, you can learn how to prevent it from occurring again.
- Find hope wherever you can. It’s natural to feel a sense of hopelessness after an attempted suicide. As hard as it may be, try to find the light at the end of the tunnel. Believe it or not, this experience can be a catalyst for growth and deeper self-understanding.
Seek Help if You Are in Crisis
Fortunately, there’s more help than ever for people needing support after an attempt, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). If you find yourself feeling distraught and at risk of suicide, use these resources to connect with someone who can listen and is qualified to help you through what you’re experiencing. It’s easy to feel like no one cares, especially if your support system is limited, but there are people who do care.
If someone had told me years ago that I would find a new life, I never would have believed them. I’m eternally thankful that my actions didn’t have the outcome I intended. One thing I’ve come to understand — and this is a common truth in the world of suicide prevention — is that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Things can change, especially how we feel. It comes down to developing habits that promote a positive mindset, such as using affirmations, keeping a gratitude journal, and having at least one person you can confide in. By embracing these practices, it’s possible to prevent a future attempt and discover a new way to live.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking
UPDATED: Originally published August 22, 2024