Feeling like dying may indicate that the person is dealing with some type of suffering, emotional and/or physical overload, a side effect of some medication, such as antidepressants or antipsychotics, or psychiatric problems.
The desire to die does not always mean that the person really wants to end their life. However, when help is not sought, symptoms such as isolation and sadness may arise, which, in the most serious cases, may indicate possible suicide. Check out more signs that may indicate suicidal behavior.
If the person feels like dying, it is recommended to seek help from a trusted person they can talk to or a healthcare professional. Furthermore, if this sensation is frequent, it is recommended to consult a psychiatrist for an evaluation. It is also possible to receive help by contacting the Centro de Valorização da Vida (CVV) by calling 188, to receive guidance and support. CVV is available 24 hours a day for free.
What it means
The desire to die can mean that:
1. You are dealing with some grief
The desire to die can mean that you are dealing with some type of suffering that can be caused by situations such as bullyingprejudice, abuse or loss of a family member.
Especially when the specific situation is difficult to resolve, it can give the feeling that the suffering will never end and lead the person to feel that they have no choice, become desperate and, in the most serious cases, commit suicide, for example. Find out the main causes of suicide.
What to do: It is important to look for someone you trust who can listen to the problem and advise on how to act in the face of the situation causing suffering, such as family, friends, teachers or health professionals, depending on the situation.
In addition, it may also be recommended to undergo psychotherapy sessions, which can help the person develop strategies to better deal with the difficulties they are experiencing.
2. You don’t feel useful, needed or wanted
When a person does not feel useful, needed or wanted, sometimes negative thoughts may also arise, such as wanting to die or that life would be better without the person.
What to do: In this case, it is recommended to look for someone you trust to talk about how you feel. Furthermore, undergoing psychotherapy sessions can help a person deal with bad thoughts and sensations and prevent them from feeling like dying due to these feelings.
3. Feel overwhelmed
The desire to die can arise when you feel overwhelmed due to health problems, working excessively and caring for people with serious illnesses and/or those that cannot be cured, for example.
Burnout is a type of overload normally related to work that can make a person feel without energy, mentally and/or physically tired, have negative thoughts and, in the most serious cases, want to die, for example. Understand better what burnout is and the symptoms.
What to do: It is important to adopt measures to alleviate stress, such as practicing physical activities regularly, getting enough sleep and taking care of your own health, correctly following medical instructions, to reduce overload.
Furthermore, it is also recommended to seek help from other people, such as family and friends, and seek out a psychologist to develop strategies to deal with existing difficulties.
4. You are having a side effect from a medication
Some medications, especially antidepressants and antipsychotics, can cause some people to think about their own death or even feel like dying as a side effect.
What to do: If you suspect a side effect of a medication, it is recommended to consult the doctor who prescribed it, and it may be necessary to change or discontinue the medication and/or try other treatment options.
Furthermore, it is recommended to only use medications under medical advice and carry out the treatment correctly, according to your instructions.
5. There are health problems that need attention
In some cases, feeling like dying may be a symptom of a health problem, especially mental disorders that have not yet been identified and/or require adequate treatment, such as bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. Discover the most common mental disorders.
In this case, there may be other symptoms such as frequent crying and sadness, anxiety attacks, separation from family members and sudden changes in mood and/or behavior.
What to do: If you suspect health problems such as depression or bipolar disorder, it is recommended to consult a psychiatrist. Treatment depends on the problem identified and may involve psychotherapy and the use of medications, such as antidepressants and anxiolytics.
How to receive help
If a person feels like dying, it is recommended to seek help from family members, trusted friends or health professionals with whom they can talk.
Furthermore, especially in cases where the urge is recurrent or there are other symptoms such as frequent crying and sadness, it is recommended to consult a psychiatrist.
If you want to make an appointment, you can find the psychiatrist closest to you using the tool below:
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