What does suicidal mean?
The term suicidal refers to having or showing a desire to kill oneself, or being characterized by thoughts or tendencies toward suicide. It is often used in medical, psychological, and social contexts to describe a person's mental state or behavior. Suicidal thoughts or behaviors can be a symptom of various mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The word suicidal is also used to describe actions or decisions that are self-destructive or reckless, even if they do not necessarily involve a direct intent to die. Understanding the complexities of suicidal thoughts and behaviors is crucial for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies.
adjectiveHaving or showing a desire to kill oneself. Characterized by or relating to thoughts or tendencies toward suicide.
- Having or showing a desire to kill oneself
- Characterized by or relating to thoughts or tendencies toward suicide
"The patient had been experiencing suicidal thoughts for several weeks and was being closely monitored by her therapist."
"The patient had been experiencing suicidal thoughts for several weeks and was being closely monitored by her therapist."
"The new policy aims to reduce the number of suicidal behaviors among teenagers."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of suicidal
The word suicidal originates from the Latin words 'suicidium', which means 'the act of killing oneself', and the suffix '-al', which forms an adjective. The term has been used in English since the 17th century to describe actions or thoughts related to self-killing. The concept of suicidal behavior has been studied extensively in various fields, including psychology, psychiatry, and sociology.
How suicidal is actually used
This word is often used in medical, psychological, and social contexts to describe thoughts, feelings, or behaviors related to suicide. It can also be used more broadly to describe actions or decisions that are self-destructive or reckless.