| A Time to Live Surviving Suicidal Thoughts |
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Strategy 2: A Rational Note to Yourself*
| “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 NIV |
There are times when I feel I have reached the very end of the line. My thinking becomes very irrational but I
believe my thoughts make perfect sense. At other times, the depression eases and my thinking becomes
rational and clear. There have been times when I find it hard to imagine that I ever contemplated suicide.
Have you ever experienced these emotional swings?
People with recurrent suicidal thoughts are prone to experience a wide range of emotions depending on
their balance between emotional pain and the ability to cope with that pain. Because this ebb and flow
pattern of thinking undermines a person’s attempts at overcoming suicidal ideation, it is important to find a
way to stay attached to reality. A Rational Note to Yourself, like a survival kit radio, provides a needed
connection to the outside world.
An important step to surviving suicidal thoughts is learning to recognize irrational thinking patterns.
Because our perception tends to be our reality, we need to be able to see how extreme our thinking can be
from one moment in time to another. If we recognize these extremes, then we will be able to more
effectively manage our sometimes erratic emotions.
This assignment is going to be a four-fold process. You will document both your rational and irrational
thoughts. It does not matter which of these are completed first; just tackle them as the appropriate moods
strike. Then, you will compare and contrast these results. Next, you will prepare a rational note to yourself.
Going forward, when you are feeling negative about your life, you will read this note. You will be reminding
yourself that negative emotions are not a reflection of how you always feel. You will be bringing back to
mind the fact that you do have hopes and dreams for the future. Most importantly, you will see physical
proof that your emotions are lying to you about the state of your life. You will be reading your own
conclusions in a hard copy format, and it is very hard to argue with yourself.
believe my thoughts make perfect sense. At other times, the depression eases and my thinking becomes
rational and clear. There have been times when I find it hard to imagine that I ever contemplated suicide.
Have you ever experienced these emotional swings?
People with recurrent suicidal thoughts are prone to experience a wide range of emotions depending on
their balance between emotional pain and the ability to cope with that pain. Because this ebb and flow
pattern of thinking undermines a person’s attempts at overcoming suicidal ideation, it is important to find a
way to stay attached to reality. A Rational Note to Yourself, like a survival kit radio, provides a needed
connection to the outside world.
An important step to surviving suicidal thoughts is learning to recognize irrational thinking patterns.
Because our perception tends to be our reality, we need to be able to see how extreme our thinking can be
from one moment in time to another. If we recognize these extremes, then we will be able to more
effectively manage our sometimes erratic emotions.
This assignment is going to be a four-fold process. You will document both your rational and irrational
thoughts. It does not matter which of these are completed first; just tackle them as the appropriate moods
strike. Then, you will compare and contrast these results. Next, you will prepare a rational note to yourself.
Going forward, when you are feeling negative about your life, you will read this note. You will be reminding
yourself that negative emotions are not a reflection of how you always feel. You will be bringing back to
mind the fact that you do have hopes and dreams for the future. Most importantly, you will see physical
proof that your emotions are lying to you about the state of your life. You will be reading your own
conclusions in a hard copy format, and it is very hard to argue with yourself.
*Abridged from A Time to Live: Surviving Suicidal Thoughts by Kimberly Andry
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A Rational Note to Yourself keeps you connected to reality in the midst of your crisis. This strategy will enable you to identify your rational and irrational thinking patterns. |
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