I have been having a lot of suicidal ideation lately. I don't actually want to die, but my brain keeps thinking up ways I could. I mentioned it to my therapist, and she said it sounded like they were "intrusive thoughts" rather than organic and I should talk to my doctor about it.

Has anybody else had something like this? What helped?

OMG. I know exactly how you feel. I too had intrusive thoughts and told my doctor about them. I have no intentions of doing so. I told him that as well. They referred me to a psychologist. It's been almost a month and I still haven't been able to get in. (another matter)

I find myself getting upset because whenever I go to the Head Injury Clinic the only person I see is the Neuropsycologist. I know I have some problems in that area but I'd like to know what is going on physically to my head.

The conclusion I came up with is I'm frustrated by the whole process and how long it's taking. Sometimes I get tired, angry, frustrated and it starts the thought process. I'm not completely sure. I hope you find the answer and if you do please post. I will do the same whenever I get in to see someone...

YES! About 2 months ago, i was completely burning myself out working the nightshift, was in constant pain, and suddenly started having suicidal ideation for the first time in my life. How do you explain that to someone? It was awful and scary. It was also at the same time that my neurologist pulled me out of work and i suddenly was on home rest (both physical and cognitive). My therapist saw me spiraling down as well, so we increased the frequency i saw her. A month later, after reading "you can heal your life" by louise hay, and taking Healing Touch....i changed to being very happy and positive all the time. It took total devastation and chaos to make some major changes to my life to help myself heal.

Just wondering - does the ideation vary depending on your medication or supplementation regime/dosages? I'm not surprised that suicidal ideation could be associated with prolonged PCS, but it might be worth paying attention to the effects of any meds/supplements you're taking (and any recent changes to that regime).

Also, the days are getting shorter, so if you have seasonal affective disorder, that could be a factor as well. Just throwing out some ideas from a strictly non-professional point of view (these might be totally irrelevant factors in your case).

I have had the same. Struggled with suicidal ideation since I was 10 years old, after my severe concussion. It is a major symptom of depression. The brain gets exhausted and the thinking starts to focus on finding a way out of the mental fatigue and mental pain.

Those of you who struggle with this would do well to develop resources of people and professionals to contact. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques can be helpful at directing these thoughts.

Don't be afraid to get help. The skilled professional knows this is not a weak character issue.

It is often a total waste of effort to reach out for support from head strong and egotistical people in your family or friends. They will likely blame you and tell you to buck up and deal with it.

Oh my goodness, I see I'm not alone, I can't beleive what is going on.

A couple years back, I began to seriously consider suicide as a final resolution. It was after an almost 2-year period where I was experiencing bad migraine headaches every day. This wasn't some quirky brain pathology (though I have those, too), but a calm, logical analysis of a situation that seemed close to hopeless.

I'm still here posting in an internet forum, so I must have decided against. Interestingly, it was a spiritual dialog that kept me going. I began to understand that there is an afterlife, that there are rather serious consequences on the other side if you terminate your own life, and that suicide accomplishes nothing but make your situation even worse than it is now.

I sure do understand those feelings. Someone on this site said something to me that makes sense. When your pain exceeds your ability to "cope" these feeling can and do crop up. I have felt the same way through the severe surgeries I have had. I wanted to give up at times too, and plotted my way in my head. Since that time I found Neuto talk. This added a way to cope better when I became afraid. I found new coping mechinisims, new ways to think, and good direction to go for help when I needed it. Having friends understand you is a good first step. I also found the joy of reading. I bury my head in a book, and I go somewhere else, anywhere else than where I am at. It distracts the thought process, and brings adventure. I come to this site, where I feel others, and they feel me too. That compassion goes along way toward helping me feel better about my condition. This is like a big counceling family, where you really arn't alone, but are surrounded by good souls who will care about you. I am sure there will be others, to give you other ideas with coping with these negative thoughts. Nothing is easy, when a person is overwhelmed, but if you keep coming back here, you will indeed feel better. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I am here to listen anytime you need a friend. ginnie