What is Suicide and Suicidal Behavior?

The act of purposely taking one’s own life is known as suicide. Suicidal behavior refers to an action which leads to an individual’s death, like taking an overdose of a drug or purposely crashing a car. Suicide is a leading cause of unnatural death in India and is in fact propelled by depression. In India, more than 10 million cases of depression are registered every year. This number is just a rough estimate and doesn’t include the majorities which don’t come forward due to social stigma and un awareness.

Causes of Suicides :  

Suicidal behaviors are generally identified in people with 1 or more of the below:

• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Borderline personality disorder
• Alcohol or drug use
• PTSD or Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Stressful issues of life, like serious relationship or financial problems

Individuals who attempt to kill themselves are often making attempts to get rid of situations that they find impossible to deal with. Many such people try to get rid of below:

• Feeling guilty, ashamed or consider themselves to be a burden for others
• Considering themselves to be a victim
• Having to feel of loss, loneliness or rejection

Suicidal behaviors also take place during a situation or an event which an individual finds overwhelming like:

• Ageing- Elderly people have the highest suicide rates
• Use of alcohol or drug
• Death of a loved one
• Serious physical illness
• Emotional trauma
• Money problems or unemployment

Suicide risk factor in teenagers include-

• Access to some weapons like guns
• History of hurting one self purposely
• Member of family who had completed suicide
• History of being neglected or abused
• Living in communities that recently faced outbreaks of suicides amongst youth
• Romantic breakup

There are more usually more men than women that die due to suicide, however, women twice as likely attempt suicide. Most of the attempts of suicide don’t lead to demise. Many such attempts are usually made in way which makes the rescue possible. Often these attempts are a cry for some help.

Some individuals attempt suicides in ways which are less likely to be lethal, like overdose or poisoning. Men most likely choose violent approach like shooting themselves. Eventually, attempts of suicides by men cause more deaths. Relatives of the individuals that attempt suicide or complete it usually blame themselves or get very angry. They see such attempt as selfish. However, individuals that attempt suicide usually develop a belief that they would their relatives and friends a favor by leaving their world.

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