Suicide

Suicide is a negative outcome of one's inability to cope with events, situations, environment, surroundings, problems and their mental effects. Suicide is act of self destruction or death. Suicide or a person contemplating suicide must be treated as a medical emergency. Anyone contemplating suicide must rightly be considered a patient of mental trauma or physical illness. Suicide is surprisingly common throughout the world even though it is considered a crime by law and in opposition to God by most religions.

Factors that may lead a person to consider committing suicide are,

• Socio- economic factors, negligence from family and friends etc are known vital factors that can cause suicide.

• Inability to cope with failure, stress, tensions, bereavements and heart breaks

• Fear of social repercussions and peer pressure

• Social problems such as family disputes, divorce, discouragement, lack of friends, relatives and their support or feeling of being useless or burdensome for them

• Economic difficulties such as unemployment, lack of finance or inability to fulfill loans repayments, poverty and homelessness

• Events such as sexual abuse, rape, harassment and discrimination at office, school or home too can drive a person to suicide

Physical illness and its effects too can cause a person to develop a suicidal tendency. Such effects can be described as,

1. Insomnia, sleep apnea, sleep deprivation can lead to suicide

2. Physical injuries especially those leaving a permanent disability such as loss of limbs can aggravate a person

3. Birth defects and medical conditions such as paralysis, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease can make a person physically and mentally troubled.

4. Diseases such as incurable forms of cancer, diabetes, kidney and liver failure, infections and their treatments can make a person distraught.

5. Sudden trauma, accidents not only to self but also to those closely related may cause a suicidal tendency.

Mental disorders and substance abuse is known to increase the risk of suicide. Shortly, these can be described as,

• Mental illnesses such as mood swings, bipolar disorders and certain psychological fears. Depression is the biggest culprit with most patients wanting to put an end to life due to depression and inner turmoil.

• Personality defects such as inferiority complex, feeling of being useless can slowly cause a personality crash and subsequent suicide.

• Hopelessness is one of the major contributing factors to cause suicide along with anxiety, panic and fear.

• Substance abuse such as alcoholism, drug intake, smoking, overuse of steroids, growth hormones, opiods, cocaine leave behind dissociative, un-inhibiting and intoxicating effects often leading to suicide

• Biological tendencies such as family history of suicide, genetic disposition, low serotonin levels as well as having to face obesity, anemia, indigestion etc are known to increase the chances of suicide.

• People uncomfortable with their bodies especially women trying too hard for that so called perfect figure, lack of height, baldness etc. too can think of attempting a suicide.

Suicidal tendencies must be treated as a case of medical emergency and care. Treatment for suicide related factors must start immediately. Ways to avert suicidal tendencies are as follows:

• A suicidal person must be given treatment and counseling at the right time else it could lead to a loss of life.

• He must undergo a psychological screening. A thorough diagnosis of suicidal tendency can help reduce his fears or anxieties.

• He must visit a psychological or behavioral counselor who can ask and listen to problems and provide effective solutions as well as medications. Psychiatric services are absolute must in such cases.

• Counseling must also be done by friends and family members. Their support, care and attention are absolute must for saving a person's life. Do suggest a trained psychiatric to the patient.

• If you are alone, take help from social workers, suicide hotline, help lines, websites and forums where you can discuss your problems

• Financial institutions, care centers, rehabilitation centers and support groups can support you as well your treatments for any physical illness, mental disorder or socio-economic and substance abuse issues

  The best ways to recognize and avoid a suicide are:

• A person on verge of breakdown due to above reasons may lack focus, interest and concentration. Such a patient may frequently cry for no apparent reason. He may display bouts of anxiety, moodiness, depression, over aggressiveness or total lack of aggression.

• Be careful of a person who sounds pessimistic and on the brink of despair as he may be about to attempt suicide.

• Such a person may speak of ways and means to end his life. Such individuals often talk of trying poisonous substances, drinking till death, attempting risky behavior such as jumping off into the rough sea or river or a high rise building

• Be extra careful if you see weapons or any particular objects that can be used as weapons to end one's life. Suicidal people must be kept away from knives, guns, poisonous substances, blades, ropes.

• Be wary of letting such a person alone in his or her room. Make sure he undergoes a full psychiatric treatment. If required, admit him to a hospital or care centre where a attendant or sitter can keep a watch on him and help him as and when required

Do make sure you have your questions about suicide answered on time. Do make an attempt at suicide treatment if you or your friend or family member is suffering from suicidal tendencies. Most importantly, avail services of a psychiatric or psychiatric services center. Remember suicide is an end to a beautiful life. Do not give up so easily.