Myth: People Are Either Suicidal or Not
Suicidal ideation ebbs and flows across years, months, days, and even hours.
Fact: A Suicidal Crisis Can Come at Any Time
Suicidal ideations are thoughts and are therefore subject to the whims and velocity of change of all thoughts. As a result, suicidal ideation appears to change very quicky.
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Evidence
Suicidal ideations are thoughts and are therefore subject to the whims and velocity of change of all thoughts. As a result, suicidal ideation appears to change very quickly.
In Support of the Myth
None identified.
To Refute the Myth
"Facets of Suicidal Ideation" (2024)
“…shown that even severe and distressing [suicidal ideation], even among those at high risk for suicide (e.g., inpatients who have attempted suicide), ebb and flow throughout the day.”
“The results revealed two key findings. First, for nearly all participants across both studies, suicidal ideation varied dramatically over the course of most days. Nearly one third of all ratings of suicidal ideation were a standard deviation above or below the previous response from just 4 to 8 hours earlier.”
“The present results suggest that recurrent suicidal behavior may be associated with suicide ideation that is highly variable.”
"The importance of temporal dynamics in the transition from suicidal thought to behavior." (2016)
Concerns about the May and Klonsky model of suicide, and a proposal that fluid vulnerability is more consistent with research. Risk scores appear to fluctuate rapidly.
Unclear or Mixed Support
None identified.
Learn more about suicide myths – and the truths behind them – by following the links below.