With rate of suicide cases in Nigeria growing at an alarming rate, a trend that was considered a Western thing, it has become imperative to get at the
With rate of suicide cases in Nigeria growing at an alarming rate, a trend that was considered a Western thing, it has become imperative to get at the root cause of it as well as how to nip the ugly trend from its roots.
What is suicide in itself?
Suicide is defined as the act of intentionally causing one’s own death.
Why do people commit suicide?
There are many factors that play a role in influencing whether someone decides to commit suicide. Nearly everyone experiences suicidal thoughts at one point or another throughout their existence. Everyone deals with tough times, but some people have been dealt a tougher hand when it comes to life circumstances, past trauma, mental and/or physical illness, social standing, and ability to cope with depressive emotions. People are most driven to suicide when they view their current situation as being completely hopeless and feel as if they have no way to change things for the better.
What are the possible causes of suicide?
Depression: This is the most common cause of suicide, especially if it is untreated. 90 per cent of individuals who commit suicide are usually depressed. Individuals with major depression are typically genetically wired in a way that makes it difficult to feel pleasure and happiness in life.
Mental illness: Although there are a variety of treatment options for people with mental illnesses, they are far from perfect. Most people end up trying a variety of psychiatric drugs or talk to therapists. Even after years of trying various medications, going through medication withdrawals, and experimenting with therapies, some people remain stuck in a constant state of mental pain and despair.
Anxiety: Having generalized anxiety, social phobia, panic attacks, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can drive a person crazy. Some forms of anxiety make it extremely difficult to maintain friendships, finish school, or hold down a steady job. The combination of loneliness and fear can lead a person to contemplate suicide.
Bipolar disorder: This essentially it involves fluctuations in mood from states of severe depression to elevations in mood. These mood fluctuations can make it difficult for people with this disorder to maintain relationships and a balanced life. Additionally the depression can lead a person to feel suicidal.
Schizophrenia: This is a highly severe case of mental illness with an array of symptoms including severe depression, hallucinations, and cognitive impairment. Having this illness makes it difficult to function in life and can serve as a major challenge due to the fact that most medications to treat this illness carry severe side effects.
Traumatic experience: Any type of traumatic experience can lead a person to feeling helpless, guilty, and/or ashamed. If you were a victim of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or dealt with trauma in war, you are much more likely to end up with post-traumatic stress disorder. This disorder and the feelings associated with traumatic experiences can lead a person to become suicidal.
Bullying: Most people experience bullying to some degree while growing up and going through school; it’s an inevitable part of life. Bullying can have a profound effect on the way people think and how they feel. Most people that are bullied end up feeling extremely depressed, worthless, and hopeless to change their situation. Now there is a phenomenon called ‘cyber bullying’ in which people fall victim to being bullied online. This happens on social media sites, comments sections of websites, and various blogs that aim to ruin people’s reputations and make people feel ashamed. When a person is bullied online and/or has privacy exposed online, they may view a ruined reputation as the end of the world and feel helpless to change their situation – which could lead to suicide.
Personality disorder: This can be closely related to mental illness, but are considered a set of traits that make it difficult to function within society. People with a personality disorder may have trouble maintaining relationships, holding down a steady job, and/or coping with life. For example, someone with dependent personality disorder may be too afraid to leave an abusive relationship. This dependency may lead the person with this disorder to consider suicide as an escape from their circumstances. On the same token, avoidant personality disorder can lead individuals to avoid social contact because they are afraid they will be rejected or won’t fit in. This can result in feelings of isolation and a person thinking that they will never have any friends. An individual with a personality disorder may feel as if there is no hope for escaping the problems caused by their personality and may consider suicide.
Drug addiction/substance abuse: People that are addicted to drugs and/or abuse drugs or alcohol on a consistent basis are more likely to become depressed. Many people use drugs to escape painful feelings of depression and hopelessness of their current life situation. Being addicted to drugs or alcohol may provide some short-term relief from the pain that they feel, but over the long term, drug use tends to alter brain functioning and neurotransmitters. If you have an addiction, it could escalate to feelings of deep depression. You may feel helpless to overcome whatever addiction you face and some people see suicide as an only way out of the addiction trap.
Eating disorders: Eating disorders are defined as a series of dysfunctional eating patterns that satisfy the person in ways other than nutrition. Many eating disorders are thought to be caused by body image problems, low self-esteem, and other mental health issues. It is thought that eating disorders are a way a person attempts to cope with unrelated issues such as: abuse, troublesome emotions, communication problems, or an identity crisis. A common disorder is that of anorexia, which is the refusal to eat enough food to maintain a healthy body weight. Others include: bulimia, compulsive overeating, and purging disorder. All of these disorders tend to affect both physical and mental health negatively. A person dealing with an eating disorder may constantly feel suicidal as a result of a nutrient-deficient diet.
Unemployment: Being unemployed can lead to feelings of isolation and make your life feel as if it is void of purpose leading to depression over lack of an income as well. In addition to unemployment, hating your current job can also lead to suicidal thoughts and possibly actions if you feel as if there is no alternative option.
Social isolation/loneliness: Being socially isolated from society can take a toll on mental health and lead a person to become depressed and consider suicide. Socializing and interacting with other people is a basic human need. If social needs are not met, a person can start to feel lonely which leads to depression and possibly suicidal thoughts.
Relationship problems: Many people struggle with relationships including: being in abusive relationships, not feeling appreciated, and/or going through break-ups. Some people may have difficulties making friends and maintaining a close group for socialization. Others may struggle with staying in abusive relationships just so that they can avoid feeling isolated and lonely. The need for human belonging is so strong that some people are willing to join gangs and/or humiliate themselves just to be in a relationship with another person. As far as romantic relationships are concerned, the act of a break-up can trigger intense feelings of depression, anxiety, guilt and panic, leading a person to deal with a lot of emotional pain. Often times in the news we read about people committing suicide as the result of a break-up with a significant other.
Genetics/family history: A lot of suicide risk has to do with genetics and family history. Those who are from a family in which suicide is common are more likely to commit suicide themselves. Additionally if a mental illness is inherited such as major depression, this can further increase risk of suicide. Family, twin, and adoption studies have all established genetic links to suicidal behavior. Various traits including: aggression, borderline personality disorder, cognitive inflexibility, and stress sensitivity are all linked to influencing suicidal behavior. If you inherit any of these traits, they could put you at an increased risk of suicide.
Philosophical desire/existential crisis: When life seems void of meaning, people tend to question why they are even living and/or the entire purpose of their existence. This is often referred to as an ‘existential crisis’ and can be difficult to overcome because people dealing with this issue often think themselves in circles of logic as to why there is no point to life. In many cases, people facing an existential crisis consider suicide because they feel as if their entire existence is void of purpose.
Terminal illness: Many people with terminal illnesses that have no hope of improving their situation based on current science and medicine may become depressed. Terminal illnesses such as various types of cancer usually leave a person frustrated, shocked and feeling hopeless. Many elderly individuals who are terminally ill have fought for euthanasia rights and/or traveled to other countries where it has been legalized.
Financial problems: People who are struggling financially sometimes see no end in sight to their debt and bills. The financial stress can take a major toll on a person’s mental health. There have been cases of even millionaires committing suicide because they spent all of their money or had to file for bankruptcy.
Prescription drugs: The side effects of various prescription drugs such as antidepressants can result in suicidal ideation. In other words, these drugs affect levels of neurotransmitters that can sometimes put a person at increased risk for suicide.
How can suicide be prevented then?
- By banning firearms
- Developing better treatment for mental illness
- Socio-economic improvement of people.
Also:
- Ask: If you think someone might be suicidal, ask them directly “Are you thinking about suicide?” Don’t be afraid to do this, it shows you care and will actually decrease their risk because it shows someone is willing to talk about it. Make sure you ask directly and unambiguously.
- Listen and stay with them: If they say ‘yes’, they are suicidal, listen to them and allow them to express how they are feeling. Don’t leave them alone. Stay with them or get someone else reliable to stay with them.
- Get help: Get them appropriate help. Call a crisis line if available. If you can, help them visit a psychologist. Even if the danger is not immediate they may need longer term support for the issues that led to them feeling this way.
- Decide what to do and take action: Talk about steps you can take together to keep them safe. Don’t agree to keep it a secret, you shouldn’t be the only one supporting this person. You may need help from someone else to persuade them to get help. You can also help by finding out information on what resources and services are available for a person who is considering suicide.
- Ask for a promise: Thoughts of suicide may return, so ask them to promise to reach out and tell someone. Asking them to promise makes it more likely they will tell someone.
In some situations they may refuse help and you can’t force them to get help. You need to ensure the appropriate people are aware of the situation. Don’t shoulder this responsibility yourself.
Possible signs someone might be thinking about suicide
Most suicidal individuals give warning signs or signals of their intentions. The best way to prevent suicide is to recognise these warning signs and respond to them.
- Previous suicide attempts
- Talking or writing about suicide/death, even if it seems to be a joke
- Seeking access to something they can kill themselves with
- Being moody, withdrawn or sad
- Saying goodbye/giving away possessions
- Losing interest in things they previously enjoyed
- Taking less care of their appearance
- Anxiety or agitation, including difficulty concentrating or sleeping
- Engaging in self-destructive or risky behaviour
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
- Withdrawal from other people
- Sometimes a positive mood after a period of being down may indicate the person has made up their mind to take their own life, and feels relief that the decision has been made
