Suicidal Behavior
Eighteen year old Catherine had everything: a supportive family, a loving boyfriend, awesome group of
friends and a comfortable life. But all of these became insignificant when she was diagnosed with depression.
From the bubbly chatterbox that she was, she morphed into a melancholic girl who had nothing in mind but to kill
herself. "There is nothing left to live for. I'm worthless and hopeless." That statement ran in her head over
and over again. She wanted to jump off the bridge or drink formaldehyde on a whim.
She was suicidal.
It took numerous trips to the doctor and support from her family and friends before Catherine bounced back to
normalcy. Now, the melancholia and suicidal thoughts are gone. She has finished college and is about to
start her dream job.
Suicide is defined as the act of killing oneself intentionally. It stems from low self esteem and severe depression, an illness
that intervenes with the mental, physical and emotional health of a person.
The majority of depressed people do not actually die from suicide. But depression does trigger a higher suicidal
risk. New data has reported that two percent of depressed people who have received treatment for depression in
an outpatient scenario might die by suicide. Four percent of those who were treated in an inpatient hospital
setting might also die by the same method. Another study determined that 7 percent of men with a history of depression
(but just 1 percent of women) will eventually kill themselves.
Clinically depressed young people often turn to substance abuse to kill themselves.
The most common method of suicide is by the use of firearms, as it makes up the 60 percent of suicides. From a
study of the National Institute of Mental Health, about 80 percent of white males commit suicide by shooting
themselves. This highlights the critical importance of a firearm being removed from the home if a family member is
discovered to be at risk for suicide.
The next most common method for men is hanging where as drug overdose or self-poisoning is the second most
common suicidal method for the women.
Besides depression, there are other risk factors for suicide:
- Impulsivity.
Some people do things on a whim. If one has a gun in hand, he might shoot himself out of an impulse.
- Traumatic life events.
The death of a loved one, financial rut or other adversity might compel a person to kill him or herself.
- Family history of suicide.
There is concept of "suicide contagion" in which a person exposed to suicidal attempts may attempt one.
- Family violence
If one is physically or sexually abused, he or she can be more likely to consider suicide to end the ordeal.
- Previous suicide attempt
An 'unsuccessful' attempt could prompt greater determination for future ones.
- Alcohol and drug abuse
An alcoholic or drug addict will reach a point of having no qualms on killing himself.
Depression is a problem that must be uprooted to keep suicidal thoughts at bay. If a person is suicidal, it
is imperative that he receives professional treatment. Usually, those who are considering this action do
not know they need help.
A broad and extensive suicide prevention program must be established if signs are present. It must
zero in on the treatment of depression and drug abuse. The program must be scientifically assessed and
tested first for effectiveness
and safety. It must also be extensive and complex enough so that the effects will last a long time and
eventually banish all suicidal thoughts. Programs must be customized to the age, culture and
gender of the suicidal patients.
NEXT: Anxiety Disorders - types & treatment
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