In crisis or thinking about suicide? Call or text 988 in the US, available 24 hours a day. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Crisis resources

Language cluster

Crisis language

The words that signal when something is urgent: thoughts of suicide or self-harm, severe agitation, and a break from reality. If any of these are present, help today matters.

Medically reviewed by Shariq Refai, MD, MBA, FAPA, board certified psychiatrist First published Last reviewed

Some words point to situations that need attention now, not later. This cluster gathers them so they're easy to recognize. If you're in crisis, call or text 988 in the United States, or call 911.

Some of the words in mental health are signals to act. Suicidal ideation and self-harm are the clearest, and they deserve attention the same day, not eventually. The heavy feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness often travel with them.

Other words point to a possible loss of contact with reality: hallucination, delusion, paranoia, and the elevated, sometimes dangerous state of mania. Severe agitation can be urgent too. These can be part of a psychiatric emergency.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 in the United States to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. See our crisis resources for more.

The words in this cluster

Suicidal Ideation

Suicidal ideation means having thoughts about death or about ending your own life, ranging from passive wishes to active planning. These thoughts are more common than most people realize, they are treatable, and they are a reason to reach out for support.

Self-Harm

Self-harm is deliberately hurting your own body as a way to cope with overwhelming emotional pain or distress. If you're struggling, support is available right now.

Hopelessness

Hopelessness is the feeling that things won't improve and that the future holds nothing better. It's a common symptom of depression and can be a warning sign worth taking seriously.

Worthlessness

Worthlessness is the feeling of having little or no value as a person. It's a common symptom of depression and one that deserves to be taken seriously.

Agitation

Agitation is a state of inner restlessness and tension that often comes with increased movement, like pacing or fidgeting. It can be a symptom of many physical and mental health conditions.

Mania

Mania is a distinct period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood along with high energy. It's a hallmark of bipolar I disorder.

Hallucination

A hallucination is sensing something that isn't actually there, such as hearing voices or seeing things that other people don't. It can affect any of the senses.

Delusion

A delusion is a fixed false belief that a person holds firmly even when there's clear evidence it isn't true. It's a core feature of psychosis.

Paranoia

Paranoia is intense, unfounded distrust or suspicion of others, like a belief that people are watching, plotting, or out to cause harm without real evidence.

Catatonia

Catatonia is a syndrome of marked changes in movement, speech, and responsiveness. It can occur with psychiatric and medical conditions and is treatable, often quickly.

Delirium

Delirium is a sudden, fluctuating change in attention and awareness, usually caused by a medical problem. It comes on fast and tends to come and go through the day.

Psychomotor agitation

Psychomotor agitation is restless physical movement driven by inner tension, like pacing, fidgeting, or hand-wringing. It shows up in depression, mania, anxiety, and other states of heightened distress.

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