Monday’s incident, where a youth shot a suicide video before jumping to his death, highlights a ‘personality disorder’
The shocking case of 23-year-old Arjun Bhardwaj, who streamed a live video on how to commit suicide before jumping to death from the 19th floor of Taj Land’s End, Bandra, has drawn attention to a lesser discussed mental disorder.
Consultant psychiatrist, PD Hinduja Hospital, Mahim, Dr Kersi Chavda explained, “This does not appear as a case of depression. The trigger or reason for his actions point to what we call a personality disorder.”
He explains, “We have neurosis where the person has some insight into what is happening. Then there is psychosis where the person believes that nothing is wrong with them and the others are wrong. Those with personality disorders are in-between these two. They have problems with relationships etc. In a certain sense they are normal and functional. There are several types of personality disorders like paranoia, dependent, borderline and passive-aggressive. Around 7-10 per cent of the population could have a personality disorder.”
Doctors recommend family members and friends be alert to signs leading to attempt to suicide. “One of the most important signs is that people talk about committing the act. About 60 per cent of the people would have talked about it in the preceding three to six months,” said Dr Chavda.
Dr Harish Shetty, Psychiatrist, LH Hiranandani Hospital, Mumbai, said, “Incidents like these have happened in the past. This was a cry for help in front of his family and friends. Effective help did not reach him on time.”
Dr Lakshmi Vijayakumari, Head, Department of Psychiatry at the Voluntary Health Services, Chennai, said family and friends of Arjun’s peers now have a responsibility at hand. “The video he (Arjun) posted online could impact his peers and give rise to copycat situations. Parents of his colleagues and friends need to talk about the issue openly instead of hiding it under the carpet and have open communication.”
Aasra, a Navi-Mumbai based suicide prevention centre gets around 180 calls a day of which one-third are from young adults. “These calls for help stem mostly from exam stress or relationship issues,” said Johnson Thomas who runs the helpline. “They find themselves without a support system, as they feel people don’t want to listen to them. It is important for parents to accept the distress the child is in and let them vent their feeling,” he said.
Depression needs attention!
The WHO’s theme this year for World Health Day on April 7 is ‘Depression: Let’s Talk’. This has shed light to the need to address mental health concerns.
Mumbai Police’s ‘3 am friend’ promise
The incident elicited a response from the Mumbai Police, who tweeted, “Deeply bereaved with suicide of a young boy in the city. We urge the youngsters to reach out to us #WeAreListening.”
The Mumbai Police also appealed to people to not circulate the video and asked those in distress to reach out to them as they promised to be their “3 AM friend”.
Bhardwaj, who hailed from Bengaluru, and was studying management at NM College, Mumbai, was in depressed and addicted to drugs, police said.
“I’m a drug addict...I don’t want to live anymore and hence (I am) committing suicide,” his suicide note, found in the hotel room, said, as per police.
The 50,000-strong Mumbai Police force said, “You must share your problems with your loved ones, if not talk to us...value your life, it is very precious.”
Watch out
If your child is extremely irritable or sad
Expresses feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness
Wants to run away from exams and home
Believes that the entire family is suffering because of him/her
Wants to remain alone in a dark room
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