Bach Mai Hospital expert guides how to overcome crisis and negativity

Exercise regularly and stay away from stimulants to improve energy and emotions - Illustration photo

Sharing about this psychological issue, Dr. Bui Van Loi - Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital, said that suicidal thoughts are not a sign of weakness, but a health problem. Similar to other health problems, this thought needs active intervention and medical care.

From a professional perspective, it is very difficult for a person at the peak of negative emotions to immediately change their perspective and overcome the crisis.

Causes of negative thoughts

According to Dr. Loi, "negative thoughts" come from many causes:

Biological disorders in the brain: Mood disorders, including depression, are mental disorders that involve an imbalance of important neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This imbalance reduces the ability to feel joy, hope, and positive thoughts.

Suicide can occur alone, but it often occurs in the context of other medical conditions, most commonly depression. Suicidal thoughts are a manifestation of a biological disorder, not simply a negative thought that can be easily dismissed.

Emotions dominate reason: When feelings of pain and despair reach their peak, the brain region responsible for emotions (the limbic system) becomes overactive. In contrast, the brain region that controls reason and planning (the prefrontal cortex) becomes inhibited.

This limits the ability to think logically and find solutions. Negative emotions at this time are like a "flood" that washes away all positive and rational thoughts.

Distorted negative thinking patterns: Depression is often accompanied by distorted thinking patterns such as “all or nothing,” overgeneralizing, focusing only on the negative, or believing that you will fail (self-fulfilling prophecies). These thinking patterns become strong and automatic, making it difficult for the person to recognize their irrationality and change them independently.

What to do to get rid of negative thinking?

To overcome negative emotions, Dr. Loi guides each person to take the following steps:

Talk to someone: Don't keep these feelings to yourself. Find a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional to talk to. Talking about them can help you feel less alone and get the support you need.

Call the hotline for psychological support: Immediately contact the hotline of the Institute of Mental Health, Bach Mai Hospital or other support centers.

Make a safety plan: If you feel you are at high risk of suicide, make a safety plan. This plan includes a list of people to call, safe places to go, activities to distract you, and removing potentially harmful items.

Seek medical help: Psychiatrists or clinical psychologists can assess your condition and recommend appropriate treatment. Outside help includes psychotherapy (CBT, DBT) and medication, which can help you stabilize your emotions, change negative thinking, and learn healthy coping skills.

Take care of yourself: Try to get enough sleep, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and stay away from stimulants to improve your energy and mood.

"In times when negative emotions and suicidal thoughts appear, the most important thing is to seek immediate help from outside. You should not try to overcome it alone," Dr. Loi shared.

WILLOW

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chuyen-gia-benh-vien-bach-mai-huong-dan-cach-vuot-qua-khung-hoang-va-tieu-cuc-20250811085606262.htm