Why do some people commit suicide?

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Why do some people commit suicide? + Signs

Why do some people commit suicide? What signs indicate that you or someone else may be thinking about suicide? How can someone be dissuaded from suicide? And several other important questions about suicide that you will read expert answers to in this important section of mental health.

Definition of suicide and signs of suicide

According to Durkheim, the great classical sociologist of the nineteenth century, suicide is any type of death that is the direct or indirect result of the positive or negative actions of the victim, of which they are aware. Suicide is a complex behavior that encompasses the inclination and thought of suicide to actions leading to death.

Suicide is one of the individual decisions in a person's life that arises from various causes. In this section, we will discuss the reasons for suicide and how to deal with individuals who have suicidal tendencies.

Is suicide a social phenomenon?

Suicide is one of the social problems that naturally has various dimensions and is recognized as part of social deviance. Suicide is a voluntary act in which a person ends their life using means such as a firearm, pills, fire, hanging, gas, etc.

Suicide is increasing in society and in most countries, it ranks among the top 10 causes of death throughout lifespan. When a problem affects a large number of people, we must consider beyond individuals, looking at the social structure, social, economic, and political patterns of society. Therefore, the criterion for an issue being a phenomenon in society is its distressing nature for a large number of people.

Suicide is a problem that disrupts the cohesion of society and can endanger our social order. It also prevents individuals from fulfilling their duties effectively. There are multiple and different causes and reasons for suicide, which many people in various countries around the world choose under specific circumstances.

As mentioned, suicide in some parts of the world is a form of violence against the harsh conditions of life in a society or the world, and it serves as a motive to protest against the existing political, social, and economic conditions in the community.

Suicide of an individual is a great loss for them and their family, and an even greater loss for society. However, suicide is not a simple social issue; therefore, attention must be paid to its roots and causes, as these factors can lead to more severe consequences for society.

Suicide is a sign of personality disorganization; it means that when an individual's personality balance is disrupted, it leads to suicide. In addition to disturbing the peace of the community, suicide puts pressure on the survivors and those around the individual, which may even encourage them to commit suicide. Therefore, understanding the roots and reasons for suicide is essential.

What are the signs of suicidal thoughts? Signs before suicide.

Suicide is a common cause of death among young people. Individuals who attempt suicide have doubts about this act and killing themselves, and their inclination towards suicide stems from their desire to end overwhelming emotions such as fear, hopelessness, helplessness, confusion, and depression or unbearable conditions, liberating themselves from the suffering they are trapped in. In this situation, they see suicide as their only way out, rather than genuinely intending to commit suicide.

Thoughts of suicide may cross the minds of many individuals, and many people may contemplate suicide at certain moments in their lives. The rate of suicide remains alarming and is on the rise.

The reason for some people's suicide

Suicide is a consequence of a period of depression for some individuals, but for others, it is a defensive act against a bitter experience, such as losing a loved one or even a relatively trivial incident. Below are thoughts and events that can evoke suicidal feelings in individuals.

We've brought about the creation:

Loneliness:

Some individuals are inclined towards suicide because they feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness and believe they have no one and that no one cares whether they live or die; they feel a deep sense of loneliness and isolation.

Despair and helplessness: 

In this situation, the person feels that their circumstances will not get better and that no one can help them.

Feeling of worthlessness:

People who have such feelings have low self-esteem and do not accept encouragement and praise from others, feeling futile. They consider any attention, interest, and encouragement from others to be unwarranted and based on a false assumption.

Depression:

Depressed individuals have a negative perception of themselves, others, or their current circumstances, and they consider these feelings completely valid and logical.

Failure in implementing plans:

Some people feel failure, shame, or inadequacy due to unsuccessful experiences, such as failure in university, the end of an important relationship, or not achieving educational goals, and they think that others do not love them.

Stress:

Individuals who experience high levels of stress have high and unrealistic expectations of themselves both personally and academically, which can create stress for them and sometimes reach an unbearable level.

These individuals believe that academic successes play a very important role in shaping their personal identity, and if these successes are threatened or disregarded, their identity is also at risk. Therefore, not achieving "the top rank" is considered a complete and unbearable humiliation for them.

Anger: 

Some individuals commit suicide when they are extremely angry or use suicide as a means of revenge after the end of a friendship.

The use of narcotics and alcoholic beverages:

At times, individuals may commit suicide due to the use of drugs or alcohol. In this state, they underestimate the dangers of their actions and are more vulnerable to the emotions they find themselves trapped in.

Physical and mental illnesses:

When a person experiences multiple problems at a specific time, such as academic issues, family problems, and the simultaneous end of a relationship, it renders them helpless and incapable due to their pain and sorrow.

What is the indication of suicidal thoughts? Reasons for suicide attempts among students.

Interpersonal problems can lead some students to commit suicide. Important factors contributing to suicide among students include financial worries and stress arising from academic pressures, as well as issues that arise between the student and their parents due to certain academic problems.

Whatever the reason for suicide may be, it must be investigated because those who attempt suicide multiple times are very likely to eventually cause their own death, either accidentally or intentionally.

Warning signs of suicide

Many people in normal circumstances react to life's problems with depression, sadness, or feelings of helplessness, but those who choose suicide in response to these problems have been exposed to more harms and failures that have gone unnoticed.

Pay attention to the warning signs below:

• Depression, intense feelings of guilt and shame, self-criticism and anger. A sense of alienation, isolation, and being alone. A history of suicide attempts. Having a detailed plan for suicide. The use of drugs and alcohol. A sense of worthlessness and having low self-esteem, especially if accompanied by very high expectations and ideals. Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and futility. Expressing thoughts about killing oneself or the meaninglessness of life.سترس زا یا آسیبی سخت مانند مرگ یکی از عزیزان
•  

Proper approach to a person who is contemplating suicide

Some people believe that those who express their intention to commit suicide do not actually go through with it, but this statement is not true. It is better to assess the situation from the perspective of the individual at risk, even if it seems unrealistic to you. Before communicating with someone who intends to commit suicide, read the following recommendations, as they may be helpful:

Examine your feelings and perspectives:

If you cannot avoid using phrases with a condescending tone when facing someone who is suicidal, and after a few minutes you lose your temper and blame them, examine your feelings and perspectives before speaking, and ask someone else who is suitable for this task to help that person.

Ask a question:

Asking about suicide not only does not suggest suicidal thoughts to the individual but also helps the person to talk about their problems.

Listen to what he has to say:

Talk to someone who wants to commit suicide and take them seriously, understanding their situation well. In this case, the person can talk to you about their needs and who can help them.

Argue with him/her:

Try to discuss and talk with the person in question, but do not impose your words on them, and think of solutions that can change the situation.

Provide practical solutions to solve the problem:

The psychologist in the mental health department advises finding practical solutions for the problem of a suicidal individual. For example, if they are a student and have set academic deadlines, remove those obstacles from their path.

Never exceed the limits of your time and abilities:

Act on the words you speak and never say something you cannot act upon, as it may cause disappointment to this individual, because a suicidal person does not deserve any more despair.

Refer to people who can help you:

If you cannot help a suicidal person on your own, do not bear the responsibility of the current situation alone and seek help from others, even if it means undermining that person's trust in you.

Signs of suicide and how to deal with it in emergencies ...

If a student who has attempted suicide is in serious danger, contact emergency services and other university officials such as the student counseling center.

Stay with the person until the rescue forces arrive.

Keep dangerous items out of his/her reach.

If the individual has taken a large amount of medication for suicide, inform the rescue forces about the nature of his actions, such as the type of medication used.

If you want to transfer the individual to the hospital yourself, make sure this is done quickly and does not pose many risks to the person, and do this with the knowledge of others.

To help someone who has attempted suicide, please visit a counseling center and inform the counselors.