#parasuicide

Hi there, dear!

Parasuicide is an apparent attempt at suicide, commonly called a suicidal gesture, where the aim is not death. Previous parasuicide is a predictor for future suicide attempts. Examples of suicidal gestures include cutting, where the cut is not deep enough to cause significant blood loss, or taking a non lethal overdose of medication. This is different from self harm. With self harm the person’s primary intention is to relieve unbearable emotions, sensations of unreality, or feelings of numbness by injuring their body. Suicidal gestures are typically done to alert others of the seriousness of the person’s depression or other illness. They are usually treated as actual suicide attempt by the hospital staff. Some suicidal gestures do lead to death, despite the person not having the intention of dying.

I hope that this explains it well enough.

Lots of love,