Suicidal thoughts? Talk to family

Hari Raghav

At age 18, Shalini, a BTech student tried to kill herself�twice. Depressed and disturbed by family problems, she first took "every pill in the house," she says. Then she attempted to drink herself to death. But whether through luck or indecision, her attempts were not drastic enough to end her life before help arrived.

Hyderabad has become the suicide capital with four students committing suicide on the same day. Before that we find many suicide cases at EFLU, OU, HU and other colleges.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for college students. Going to college can be a difficult transition period in which students may feel lost, lonely, confused, anxious, inadequate, and stressed, these problems may lead to depression. Studies indicate that college students who are suicidal are quiet, reserved, depressed, and socially isolated, and thus it is up to all of us to try to identify the suicide warning signs and get help for them.

Additionally, a survey indicates that one in five college students believe that their depression level is higher than it should be, yet only six per cent say that they would seek help. In general, people try to kill themselves for five reasons: 1. Depressed: Untreated depression is the number one cause for suicide. Severe depression is always accompanied by a pervasive sense of suffering as well as the belief that escape from it is hopeless.

The pain of existence often becomes too much for severely depressed people to bear. The state of depression warps their thinking, allowing ideas like "Everyone would all be better off without me" to make rational sense. They shouldn't be blamed for falling prey to such distorted thoughts any more than a heart patient should be blamed for experiencing chest pain: it's simply the nature of their disease.

2. Psychotic: Hateful inner voices often command self-destruction for unintelligible reasons. Psychosis is much harder to mask than depression, and is arguably even more tragic. The worldwide incidence of schizophrenia is one per cent and often strikes otherwise healthy, high-performing individuals, whose lives, though manageable with medication, never fulfill their original promise.

3. Impulsive: Often related to drugs and alcohol, some people become over emotional and impulsively attempt to end their own lives. Once sobered and calmed, these people usually feel emphatically ashamed. The regret is often genuine, but whether or not they'll ever attempt suicide again is unpredictable. They may try it again the very next time they become drunk or high, or never again in their lifetime.

4. They're crying out for help; and don't know how else to get it. These people don't usually want to die but do want to alert those around them that something is seriously wrong. They often don't believe they will die, frequently choosing methods they don't think can kill them in order to strike out at someone who's hurt them, but they are sometimes tragically misinformed.

5. Philosophical desire to die: The decision to commit suicide for some is based on a reasoned decision, often motivated by the presence of a painful terminal illness from which little to no hope of reprieve exists. They're trying to take control of their destiny and alleviate their own suffering, which usually can only be done in death. They often look at their choice to commit suicide as a way to shorten a dying that will happen regardless

When suicidal thoughts are brought on by an immediate interpersonal life event, then reliving this event or talking with a close friend or family member may resolve the crisis. Individuals considering suicide should have a professional evaluation by psychologist to consider any of the following treatments:

- Psychological counseling - Medical intervention - Psychiatric treatment

The writer is a Psychologist. Ph No. 9246 165 165