Suicide Is Painful

Do you or your loved ones have tendencies? Read on...

CONTROVERSIAL doctor Hayden Kho admitted that when he found out some people had gotten access to his sex video files from his computer, he wanted to die. He actually did try to kill himself in December 2008 and his toxicology report showed that he took three times the lethal dose of Valium.

Broadcaster Ted Failon’s wife, Trina, reportedly put a bullet to her head and succeeded in her attempt. The cause of her action was not clear, but there were insinuations of a financial problem.

According to Dr. Ma. Cynthia Agustin of the National Mental Health Center, a major depressive illness is the most significant risk factor for suicide. “Its symptoms include a sense of hopelessness, impulsivity, recurrent substance use, and a history of aggressive behavior,” she adds.

But what really drives a person to deliberately end his life? How do you help when you see signs leading to it? And can you really prevent them?

            But more than the signs and the symptoms, what makes a suicidal personality? The lady doctor says that the profile of an adolescent who commits suicide is a high achiever and perfectionist. “An adolescent may have been humiliated recently by a perceived failure like low academic performance,” she cites.

Symptoms

• Talking about dying.

• Recent loss: death, divorce, a broken relationship, or loss of a job.

• Change in personality: unusual signs of fatigue, indecisiveness, or anxiety

• Change in behavior: lack of concentration in work, school, or everyday activities.

• Change in sleeping patterns: oversleeping, insomnia, and other types of sleep disturbances.

• Change in eating habits: loss of appetite or an increased appetite, including increase or decrease in weight.

• Decreased sexual interest.

• Low self-esteem: feelings of shame, inferiority complex, self-hatred, worthlessness.

• Fear of loss of control: worries about losing ones sanity and about harming either oneself or others.

• Lack of hope for the future: feeling of hopelessness for the future and that things will never improve.

Profile of High-Risk Individuals

• Age: over 45 years old

• Male are more suicidal completers and female are more of suicidal attempters.

• Divorced or widowed

• Unemployed.

• With conflicting interpersonal relationship: chaotic or conflicting family background

• Physical health like: chronic illness, excessive substance intake

• Personality traits: poor achievement, poor insight

• Social disposition: poor rapport, socially isolated, and with an unresponsive family.

And what about suicide bombers?

“What suicide bombers do is an act of self sacrifice,” explains Dr. Agustin. “They enjoy the prestige and respect that comes from the courage of undertaking a mission of certain death.”

Indeed, the mystery continues. Despite notes left behind, it is hard to understand physical self-destruction.

HOW TO HELP

IF you know someone who exhibits symptoms of suicide, Dr. Cynthia Agustin of the National Mental Health Center says it is important to help right away by taking one of these steps:

• Talk to him. Reach out and let him tell you how he feels.

• Seek professional help. Speak with a counselor, psychiatrist, therapist, or your family physician.  Dr. Agustin adds that the National Center for Mental Health has an Emergency Room for 24/7 days and a psychiatrist and psychiatric/medical staffs are available. An out-patient department opens 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Friday. Now if someone you know is exhibiting the warning signs or has confided in you about his suicidal thoughts, Dr. Agustin suggests taking one or more of these steps:

• Don’t be sworn to secrecy. Although your loved one or friend may feel betrayed if you tell someone about his desire to commit suicide, not doing anything only puts his life in danger.

• Take action. Remove any harmful substances or objects from his home, such as excessive pills, poison, knives, or handguns.

• Be direct. Talk openly to him about his behavior. Don’t judge him or lecture him. If he confides in you, acting shocked about his desire to commit suicide will only cause more alienation.