Since the past month, the city has seen a spate of shocking suicides. Psychiatrists say that these can possibly be prevented if people can look for signs and symptoms of possible suicide victims.
Since the past month, the city has seen a spate of shocking suicides. Psychiatrists say that these can possibly be prevented if people can look for signs and symptoms of possible suicide victims.
“One should look out for sudden behavioral changes, mood swings, change in feeling or thinking, and the important social events that could trigger such extreme reactions,” said Dr Shubhangi Parkar, head of Psychiatry, KEM hospital.
Certain important life events like sudden unemployment, loss of loved one, breaking up of a relationship, debt can trigger suicidal behavior. “There was a man whose job was to daily collection of loan amount. When the company collapsed, he immediately went to the railway station and killed himself. He was answerable to other people and didn't want to face it,” said Dr Harish Shetty, leading psychiatrist who practices in LH Hiranandani
hospital, Powai.
Suicidal people often talk about worthlessness of life, which is a sign of passive suicidal ideation. “If someone close to such people hears of this a lot, they should ask them directly--Do you feel like committing suicide?. If they say yes, immediately take them to a psychiatrist,” said Dr Nilesh Shah, head of Psychiatry, Sion hospital. Such people could be seen crying incessantly, and not being able to sleep.
Often suicidal people display what is called “winding up behavior”, like say for instance, making a will. “People start giving things away suggesting that they are saying goodbye,” said Dr Parkar.
Dr Shah explained, “When I was studying in MBBS, I had a friend who started giving away notes, his precious wrist watch, among other things. Later, after he committed suicide, we realised that he had planned it.”
People who are likely to commit suicide also tend to sympathise with others who committed suicide. “They discuss these events and say things like—What option did he/she have but to commit suicide,” said Dr Shetty. A suicidal person person may also suddenly become philosophical statements.
In a clinically depressed person who has already been diagnosed, the relatives should hit the alarm bell when they stop taking medication and get suddenly quieter.
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