Suicidal ideation is sometimes broken down into active and passive categories. What is passive suicidal ideation, how dangerous is it?

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What Is Suicidal Ideation?

TSuicidal ideation is a clinical term that refers to having thoughts about ending your own life. Sometimes, these types of thought are symptoms of a mental illness, but this is by no means always the case. We’ll discuss potential causes of suicidal ideation in greater detail in a later section.

Suicidal ideation is an imprecise term that can be applied to a wide range of thoughts and feelings, so professionals categorize these thoughts as either active or passive.

Note: Today’s post deals with a difficult, potentially triggering topic. If you fear that you or someone you care about is in imminent danger of suicide, please stop reading this post and get help immediately.

In the U.S., you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline online or by calling or texting 988 from any phone. This free resource is staffed 24/7 by trained professionals who can assess your needs and connect you with appropriate resources near you. 

The lifeline offers assistance in both English and Spanish, and also serves individuals who are deaf or have hearing loss.

What Is Passive Suicidal Ideation?

To understand what is passive suicidal ideation, it can be helpful to compare and contrast it with active ideation. 

Active Suicidal Ideation

Someone who is experiencing active suicidal ideation may be close to actually attempting to end their life. Signs of active ideation can include:

• Having or making a plan to end their life
• Giving away items of great monetary or sentimental value
• Possessing or attempting to acquire items they may need for their attempt
• Frequently discussing death and dying
• Making statements about their intent to end their life
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Suddenly appearing calm and relaxed after an extended depressive episode

Passive Suicidal Ideation

Though it is listed second in this section, passive suicidal ideation usually occurs first. Characteristics of someone with passive suicidal ideation include:

• Considering suicide, but not having a plan
• Frequently feeling sad, hopeless, or helpless
• Wishing they’d never been born, or that they could simply fall asleep and never wake up
• Thinking that their absence would improve the lives of their friends and family
• Speaking negatively about themselves
• Experiencing changes in sleep patterns (which may include either insomnia or hypersomnia)
• Engaging in dangerous behaviors such as reckless driving or substance abuse

Points of Emphasis

When considering the differences between active and passive suicidal ideation, it is important to keep the following points in mind:

• The line between active and passive suicidal ideation can be difficult to discern, and it is not uncommon for someone to exhibit symptoms from both categories. For example, someone with active suicidal ideation may continue to speak negatively about themselves, and someone with passive suicidal ideation may withdraw from family and friends.
• One of the key differentiators between active and passive suicidal ideation is intent. In some cases – such as if a person has written down a series of steps for how they plan to end their life – intent is relatively easy to identify. But in other circumstances – such as someone who has read a few articles about suicide online – it can be difficult to determine if they have crossed the line from passive suicidal ideation to active.
• Though active suicidal ideation poses a more imminent threat, identifying someone as having passive suicidal ideation does not mean that they are not at risk. A person can quickly move from having passive thoughts of suicide to making an actual attempt to end their life. Having two categories is simply a way to describe the degree of danger a person may be in at the present moment.

What Causes Passive Suicidal Ideation?

In addition to knowing what is passive suicidal ideation, it can also be valuable to understand what can cause these types of thoughts. 

Sometimes, suicidal ideation can be a symptom of a mental health concern. Conditions that have been associated with an increased risk of both active and passive suicidal ideation include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Borderline personality disorder
• Substance use disorders (addictions)

A person doesn’t have to have a mental illness to develop passive suicidal ideation. Other influential factors can include:

• Adverse effects of certain prescription medications
• Abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
• Being bullied or harassed in person and/or online
• Being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
• Stressors such as job loss, the end of a relationship, or financial difficulties
• Low self-esteem or poor sense of self
• Problems with impulsivity and/or anger management
• Prior suicide attempt
• Exposure to suicide (having a peer, friend, loved one, or beloved celebrity die by suicide)

Is Passive Suicidal Ideation Treatable?

Today’s post has been admittedly bleak. But there is some good news about the topic: With proper care, a person can free themselves from the distress of either active or passive suicidal ideation. 

The right type of treatment can vary considerably from one person to the next, but common elements of care include:

• Prescription medication
• Individual psychotherapy 
• Group therapy sessions
• Family therapy and education
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• EMDR and other trauma-focused therapies
• Holistic therapies

Two significant challenges related to treating someone with passive suicidal ideation are identifying that they are struggling and encouraging them to get help.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the National Institutes of Mental Health have both posted practical, actionable guidance for helping a friend, peer, or loved one who may be considering suicide.

Find Treatment for Passive Suicidal Ideation in Atlanta

If you or a loved one have been experiencing passive suicidal ideation, Valor Behavioral Health is here for you.

Our outpatient mental health treatment center in Atlanta, GA, offers multiple age-appropriate programs for adolescents and adults whose lives have been disrupted by thoughts of suicide and other distressing mental health symptoms. Our team of compassionate professional will work closely with you to identify the root causes of your struggles and develop a plan to help you live a much healthier and more hopeful life.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.

Contact Valor Behavioral Health today at 866-859-3442 or verify your insurance. Your journey to improved mental health begins with an accurate understanding of what you’re experiencing—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.