Finding Hope: Overcoming Suicidal Ideation in San Diego
This article will provide insights into suicidal ideation and explore effective treatment options available today.
Kadima is a leading center for suicidal ideation and depression treatment in San Diego, offering advanced solutions for individuals who haven’t found relief with traditional therapies
Suicidal ideation, or the experience of persistent and troubling thoughts of self-harm, is a serious mental health issue that demands both urgency and compassion. At Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute in San Diego, we offer advanced, empathetic care designed to address suicidal ideation and its underlying causes. In this article, we’ll guide you through the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for those dealing with suicidal thoughts, while emphasizing why Kadima’s specialized approach can be the first step toward recovery.
Table of Contents
Understanding Suicidal Ideation
Suicidal ideation can range from fleeting thoughts to detailed planning of self-harm, often driven by severe feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety, or trauma. Recognizing these thoughts early is critical in reducing risk and ensuring safety. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, seeking professional help can be life-saving.
So, how can you tell if you are struggling with suicidal ideation?
Symptoms of Suicidal Ideation
Awareness of warning signs is essential in identifying when to reach out for help. Common indicators of suicidal ideation may include:
- Persistent feelings of hopelessness
- Increased isolation and withdrawal from social connections
- Dramatic mood swings, especially when shifting from depression to agitation
- Talking or writing about death, dying, or self-harm
- Engaging in reckless behaviors or increased substance use
It’s crucial to understand that these symptoms signal a need for immediate support and intervention.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please don’t wait—help is available. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential support 24/7.
Root Causes and Contributing Factors
Suicidal ideation is often the result of an intricate combination of biological, psychological, and social factors, such as:
- Mental Health Disorders
Conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and anxiety significantly increase the risk of suicidal ideation. - Trauma and Loss
Individuals who have faced traumatic events, including abuse or loss of a loved one, may experience heightened vulnerability. - Chronic Physical Illness
Studies suggest that chronic illness and pain are closely linked to higher incidences of suicidal thoughts. - Genetic and Environmental Factors
Family history of suicide or exposure to other environmental stresses can contribute to suicidal ideation.
Treatments for Suicidal ideation in San Diego
Suicidal ideation is a serious mental health concern that requires comprehensive, evidence-based treatment approaches. Here are the widely used ones:
Psychotherapy: CBT, DBT & Family Therapy
Psychotherapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), is widely used to help individuals identify negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and regulate emotions. Research shows that these therapies can significantly reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors, with studies indicating up to 50% effectiveness in reducing suicidal ideation and self-harm, especially in high-risk populations. Family therapy can also help by strengthening support systems and improve communication with ones significant others.
Medication Management
Medications, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics, are commonly used to treat underlying conditions like depression and bipolar disorder that contribute to suicidal ideation. While SSRIs can reduce symptoms, some studies show a temporary increase in suicidal thoughts, especially in younger patients early in treatment. Mood stabilizers like lithium may reduce suicide risk by 50–60% yet have pretty significant side effects. Antipsychotics such as clozapine can lower suicidal behavior by 40–50% in treatment-resistant cases. Medications are most effective when combined with therapy and ongoing monitoring to ensure safety.
Rapid-Acting Treatment: Ketamine and Esketamine (Spravato) Therapy
Ketamine Therapy and its derivative, esketamine (Spravato), have demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects, particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing suicidal ideation. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which may take weeks to exhibit therapeutic effects, ketamine and esketamine therapy can alleviate suicidal thoughts within hours.
For instance, a randomized controlled trial found that IV ketamine significantly reduced suicidal ideation in patients with treatment-resistant depression within 24 hours of administration (Zolghadriha et al., 2024). Similarly, esketamine nasal spray has shown efficacy in rapidly reducing depressive symptoms in individuals with acute suicidal ideation or behavior (Liu et al., 2022). This swift onset of action is particularly advantageous in crisis situations, providing immediate relief and reducing the risk of suicide. Furthermore, these treatments have been effective in patients unresponsive to other interventions.
Kadima Neuropsychiatry is San Diego’s premier Ketamine clinic for mental health. Its medical director, Dr. David Feifel, founded the world’s first ketamine therapy program for mental health in 2008. Today, Dr. Feifel continues to offer ketamine and Spravato therapy for suicidal ideation, depression, and other mental health disorders.
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Neuromodulation: TMS Therapy for Suicidal Ideation
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation technique that has shown promise in reducing suicidal ideation and symptoms of depression. Kadima has been offering this advanced treatment since 2018, providing hope and relief to patients experiencing persistent suicidal thoughts and treatment-resistant depression.
A meta-analysis by Cui et al. (2022) found that patients receiving TMS treatment exhibited significantly lower suicidal ideation scores compared to control groups. Additionally, Chen et al. (2022) conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, concluding that repetitive TMS (rTMS) effectively reduced suicidal ideation and depression severity in patients with major mental disorders, demonstrating favorable tolerability without major adverse events.These findings suggest that TMS may serve as a valuable therapeutic option for individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts, particularly when traditional treatments have proven insufficient.
Advanced Treatments for Suicidal Ideation: Hope and Healing at Kadima Neuropsychiatry
Suicidal ideation is a serious mental health concern that requires urgent and effective intervention. At Kadima Neuropsychiatry, we specialize in advanced treatments, including ketamine therapy, Spravato (esketamine), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which have shown promising results in rapidly reducing suicidal thoughts. Under the leadership of Dr. David Feifel, a pioneer in ketamine therapy, Kadima provides evidence-based, personalized care for individuals struggling with treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation. With a focus on safety, innovation, and compassionate support, Kadima offers patients path forward to healing when traditional treatments have fallen short. Schedule a consultation today, call us or leave your details in the contact form below:
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References
Zolghadriha, A., Anjomshoaa, A., Jamshidi, M. R., & Taherkhani, F. (2024). Rapid and sustained antidepressant effects of intravenous ketamine in treatment-resistant major depressive disorder and suicidal ideation: A randomized clinical trial. BMC Psychiatry, 24, Article number: 341.
Liu, H., Lan, X., Wang, C., Zhang, F., Fu, L., Li, W., Ye, Y., Hu, Z., Chao, Z., Ning, Y., & Zhou, Y. (2022). The efficacy and safety of esketamine in the treatment of major depressive disorder with suicidal ideation: Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry, 22, Article number: 744.
- Cui, Y., Fang, H., Bao, C., Geng, W., Yu, F., & Li, X. (2022). Efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation for reducing suicidal ideation in depression: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 764183.
- Chen, G. W., Hsu, T. W., Ching, P. Y., Pan, C. C., Chou, P. H., & Chu, C. S. (2022). Efficacy and tolerability of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on suicidal ideation: A systemic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 884390.
Additional Resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, the following trusted resources provide valuable information and support:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 for 24/7, free, and confidential support. Visit 988lifeline.org for more resources.
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – Learn more about suicidal ideation, risk factors, and treatments at nimh.nih.gov.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – Access educational materials, find local support groups, and explore prevention programs at afsp.org.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – Get information on crisis services and treatment options at samhsa.gov.