Suicide: A Tragic Mystery

Suicide: A Tragic Mystery

Suicide doesn’t remove the pain; it is rather transferred to the ones who are left behind alive.

  

Suicide- the word is enough to catch the attention of anyone but sadly it’s always the reason leading up to suicide that remains unnoticed. Suicide often stems from being in the state of complete hopelessness. This feeling of despair raises to that level that people takes away their own lives to find a permanent solution to the temporary problem.

The question here is- Why people commit suicide? Is it easy to end one’s own life? Is suicide a selfish or cowardly act? Generally people call it a selfish act because the act of taking your life is distressing to the saviors who are left behind to face the aftermaths.

What I personally feel is that ‘suicide’ is not a choice but a health issue. A suicide attempt is a vivid indication that something is solemnly wrong in the person’s life. Suicide doesn’t discriminate- No matter how rich or poor one is; or to which religion one belongs to, it is fact that the people who commit suicide have mental or emotional illness. The most fundamental disorder is depression, 30% to 70% of the people who commit suicide suffer from severe depression or bipolar disorder.

Everyone feel low and unhappy at times and it can come out of no apparent reason. Main concern is when this feeling stays in for a longer period of time and one loses interest in things which one once enjoyed. Depression is often ignored or untreated, it refrains people to act for them. Symptoms of depression may differ and they may manifest themselves differently from people to people. Some of the common symptoms are listed below:

Psychological Symptoms:

1.      Continuous feeling low and sad

2.      Feeling of being clueless, worthless or helpless

3.      Zero self esteem

4.      Feeling irritable and intolerant to others

5.      Loss of interest in things

6.      Problem in decision making

7.      Having suicidal thoughts

8.      Feeling anxious

9.      Difficulty in concentrating

10.  Complete hopelessness about future

11.  Cropping of unrealistic and baseless ideas

Physical Symptoms:

1.      Lowering of walking pace

2.      Speaking more slowly than usual

3.      Constipation

4.      Lack of interest in sex

5.      Feeling lethargic

6.      Changes in eating habits and weight fluctuations

7.      Change in menstrual cycle

8.      Lack of sound sleep

9.      Unexplained aches and pains

10.  Crying spells

 Remember, depression surfaces for a reason. When we suppress our inner voices, depression arises. It may be triggered by incidences like losing someone from the family, or by intense family conflict or by constant rejections or even from unfulfilled lofty goals.

 Depression isn’t something to abhor, rather it a warning sign that you are not on a right track. Love, attention, care and support are the most powerful agents in the treatment of depression. Try to be more sensitive towards people who feel depressed. Be an open listener, who understands their problems. Avoid using words like: “everything is good” or “you don’t have any reason to worry about”. Instead try saying- “I hear you”, I do understand your problem”, or “things will get better”. Advice should be simple not complicated like “let’s go for a walk together” or “I am always there for you no matter what happen but now you need more of professional advice”. Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell. This all requires patience, so do take care of yourself too.

# Remember the two most effective ways to reduce the risk of suicide are to build friendly and healthy relationship with the family and try to have open communication. It is important not to see depression as enemy but as an expression of struggle.

Dr. Ranbir Kaur

29th June, 2020