Global Market News Network- Why increases the suicide cases in society? and What are their reasons? These questions arose at depression level or any situation. Dr. Atul Dhage are expressed their opinion as a doctor about the arose these type of questions. They also writened the article on the occasion of International Suicide Prevention Day (September 10). Firstly we introduce about Dr. Atul Dhage, Dr. Atul Dhage are a psychiatrist, sexologist, de-addiction specialist and certified psychotherapist and counselor. They expressed knowledge himself on behalf of Mindcare Hospital, Ratnagiri.
Suicide...?
Suicide doesn’t happen in a day or in a moment. Many times, some people around us are actually thinking and planning about committing suicide before they commit it. Sometimes they are nearing their decision to do so by each passing moment. Often there are signals hidden in form of specific behavioural conduct. Strange it may sound, but they are actually calling for help through such signals. But we are so engrossed in ourselves that we don't even realize it. We even try to offer comfort to them by saying some stereotype dialogues like “Everything will be fine!”, “Don't worry!”, “No one has a perfect life” etc and the list of such lame sentences go on and on. But when this troubled soul commits suicide, we are stunned. We wonder why such a thing must have happened? or what must have happened that compelled him to take this decision? or even that you never thought that this person would do anything of this sort? Or sometimes you may feel you must have taken his words and behavior seriously.
The concerns are, Can we identify such signals? If yes, then how do we identify them? How can we stop suicides?
Just a while back, a dynamic and dashing police officer and later on a spiritual guru committed suicide. A dashing and heroic police officer committed suicide as he got tired and fed up of his ailing due to cancer. The other person in spite of being a spiritual guru, he committed suicide over martial issues. What can be the possible reason for such people to commit suicide in spite of being so strong physically and mentally?
In fact, the root of this answer lies in the question itself. They were people. They were human beings. There work and dedication in their field had bought them to a very high stature in the society. To some the spiritual guru must have attained the same stature of that of a saint or even god. But we need to understand it was their work, their contribution, their sacrifice towards attaining that successful position in life. But underneath all of that, they were both just simple human beings. As human as one of us. So, when the secretion of insulin reduces, a human being would suffer from diabetes. Similarly, when the secretion of serotonin reduces, a person suffers from depression. Reason could be anything like social pressure, professional pressure or even financial instability. But what we need to recognize is that ‘Depression’ is a disease. I have heard people saying everywhere that family pressure has caused someone to commit suicide but they miss a point here. Its not the problem that had caused this, it the depression that has caused suicide. And depression is such a disease that it can affect any one of us may it be a police officer or a spiritual guru.
Does this mean that a mentally or emotionally strong person can succumb to depression?
Well, Yes, Even the most mentally strong person can fall prey to depression. Because, depression is not always because of physical or mental reasons, it can also be biological or genetic.
Just like, not every diabetic has a sweet tooth similarly depression can be a result of things apart from such reasons. Of course, we can’t deny the possibility of falling into depression would be low in case of a mentally strong person but that does not mean that it won’t happen. In fact, the definition of a mentally strong person is super misunderstood in our society. We live in this myth, that a person who is quiet, who bears everything without saying a word or without crying is a strong person. Now this is a main problem. Accumulation of feelings even after being hurt and not letting them out creates stress on our body and brain and that’s when, the secretion of serotonin reduces and the person suffers from depression. Emotions like anger, anxiousness and sadness are natural and every person is bound to experience them some or the other time. Mentally strong person is actually not a person who would bear everything quietly but he is a person who can let out his feelings in a right manner. Now when these emotions are expressed correctly and are dealt with properly then definitely the number of suicides can be contained.
Does it mean that a person does not commit suicide due to financial reasons, personal problems, family dissatisfaction, diseases like cancer?
No, above mentioned are the reasons for a person to feel upset, anxious or even sad. But they are not the reasons to commit suicide and if such is the case then every person facing a similar situation should have committed suicide. But that is not the case. What happens is, when such reasons grow stronger and the capacity of a person to deal with such issues reduces. The way he starts handling his problems affect the secretion of cortisol in the body and serotonin in the brain reduces. The condition we call as ‘depression’. +When such levels remain low for a longer period of time and when they are not treated, the patient losses his ability to handle pressure and problems. Thus, due to untreated depression the person gives in and commits suicide.
What exactly is depression? Is it really a disease?
In order to understand this question, you need to know that there is a difference in feeling depressed and the disease of depression. It’s quite natural to feel sad and depressed when something doesn’t happen as you planned it or in case of some problem due to which things don’t happen as you wish. But this feeling of depression is short lived. You tend to heal yourself and you are back to normal in few days. When this feeling is not for a long period it does not affect your personal life, professional life, your relationships, your sleep and hunger. Problem is when such feeling of sadness continues for over a period of 15 days and you constantly feel depressed, angry, sad, cannot feel happy about anything and then it starts affecting your personal life, professional life and your health. It is for sure a symptom of depression as a disease.
So, what are the symptoms of this depression? How to recognize it?
As I mentioned earlier, If you are constantly feeling depressed and along with that if you don’t feel hungry or can’t sleep, or can’t find happiness even in your favourite things, can’t concentrate on anything, don’t wish to talk to anyone, want to be left alone and feel like crying most of the times, then you can be suffering from depression as a disease. Sometimes a few people may experience constant anger instead sadness as a symptom. When this feeling hits its peak, the person loses self-worth, loses confidence, feels worthless, starts feeling that now no one can help him, no one can get him out of his problem and now life will remain like this forever and that’s when he starts thinking of committing suicide.
If this is disease, then it must have a cure? Are there treatments which can prevent suicide? if yes, then what are they?
Indeed. There are so many effective methods and medicines to treat such patients. With the advancement in the field of research, many drugs are developed which have proved to be very useful. Along with medication, psychotherapy is also available. Mild depression can be cured by psychotherapy alone, but moderate and severe illness requires medication. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) which is called as shock treatment by layman is sometimes used to treat severe depression, such as those who are suicidal. Shock is a very good and safe treatment but there is a lot of misconception about it. Treatment to prevent suicide is definitely available but the treatment differs according to the reason or problem the patient is facing.
Are there any diseases other than depression in which a person commits suicide?
Yes certainly, suicide is just a symptom. There are many reasons for this. 90-95% of suicides are due to some mental illness. Of these, only depression (which people think of as stress or due to stress) is known to people. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, alcohol and drug addiction and its consequences that can lead to mental illness, personality disorders and illnesses, postpartum mental illnesses are the few significant others in the list. All these can lead a person to commit suicide. It is crucial to find out the real reason. If you observe certain abnormality in behaviour, communication pattern, or even in the way a person expresses his emotions and thoughts, you should instantly connect with a psychiatrist and psychotherapist because progression in this disease often leads to suicide attempts.
If there are so effective medicines? if we can stop the suicides? then, why are we not able to contain the number of suicides?
Well. it’s actually quite sad to share but it’s because of the point of view and the kind of approach and stigma our society has towards such diseases and patients. People change their prospective about a person if that person is suffering from some mental illness. He is not treated well. He is looked at as if he is strange and weird. Patients suffering from BP, Diabetes or heart troubles rush to the doctor for treatment. They are never alone when they do so, their loved ones accompany them to the doctor. But when someone is suffering from the mental illness, the relatives don’t even accompany the patients, even after my request. What a pity!
This prevents the patients from even going to a psychiatrist. They worry so much about what others would think and how they would be left alone if someone knew. Same resistance is observed in case of prevention of mental illness, we tend to do many things like exercising, maintaining proper diet to prevent us from physical diseases. But what do we do to prevent a mental illness??? nothing!!!
When we as a society change our approach, get rid of this taboo from our mind, start recognizing the symptoms of these diseases and thus provide the needy with the right treatment at the right time, only then this gruesome picture will change.
How can the relatives and friends know or identify if a person is going to commit suicide?
If you observe keenly you might notice such signs through some changes in the person. Changes in the way he talks, behaves, responds. Sometimes he would remain upset for a longer period of time, or cries constantly, or wants to be left alone, such signs should be taken seriously. Statements like “What if I was never born?”, “What if I die?”, “Why am I still alive? should never be taken lightly. When someone starts sharing information about property, high value things, important documents, money or is determined to prepare a will or is bidding you farewell as if he will never meet you again, all these are signs where that person might be seriously thinking on ending his life. Above mentioned signs along with negative mindset about himself, people around him, situation in present and in future and also if such person is keeping things like a knife, rope, sleeping pills, gun, etc with him, you should immediately contact a psychotherapist and take necessary steps to prevent anything bad from happening.
Earlier you mentioned about prevention of mental illness, could you please elaborate the same
In order to attain physical fitness, we must exercise daily and also take care of ourselves. In case of mental health and wellbeing, it is similar but a bit challenging at times. One must be happy, contend and one should think of worldly pleasures rather than running after material pleasures. Keep a check on feelings like hatred, jealousy, envy. Try and acquire the skills of stress management and time management. Expand your social circle. Be friends with people who understand you and can comfort you at times of distress. If there is a problem, try to focus on solution. If you can’t get rid of the problem, make yourself strong enough to face it as positively as you can. Try to see positive in every situation. I am sure that if you practice these things, you will definitely be able to handle your negative thoughts, emotions and situations effectively and successfully.
To end this article, I would like to share few lines by late Marathi poet Dutta Halasgikar, I am sure these lines will definitely help you think better
“जगण्या वरती प्रेम कर, जग फार सुंदर आहे.
अवसेच्या काळोखातही, नक्षत्राचे झुंबर आहे.”
Means “Live your life, as life is filled beauty”
“Even in the darkness of moon less night, there is a chandelier of twilight”
My best wishes to you. May you find a perfect balance to keep your mental health at its best.
-Dr. Atul Dhage,
Neuro-Psychiatrist,Sexologist, de-addiction Specialist and Certified Psychotherapist and Counsellor.
Mindcare Hospital, Ratnagiri.
