Suicide

• It is common in all cultures in developed also developing country.
• Additionally, It is common among women.
• However there are more suicide thinkers than committers. [2]

Indian epidemiology then other

There are some causes:

1. Impulsiveness:

• It may be a key factor in suicidal behaviour.
• In detail, An impulsive person may suddenly come to the realization that his suffering could be ended by suicide and he may act on that perception before considering the consequences.
• Lastly, This type of thinking is called as tunnel vision thinking.

2. Dependence:

• Individuals who are dependent on others also who require constant reassurance and attention are more likely to died by suicide.
• Such people are always deprived of support, approval also attention and as termed as dependent, dissatisfied persons.

3. Unrealistic expectations:

• Individuals who have unrealistically high expectations of themselves and others (extreme perfectionist) are frequently disappointed also may be unable to accept the failure.
• Such individuals become depressed also are at increased risk of suicidal behaviour.

4. Other causes:

• Dissolution especially of love relation or other significant loss.
• Change in medical condition (any prolong physical illness)
• Alcoholism / drug intoxication.
• Furthermore, An increased feeling of hopelessness.
• Sudden improvement in depressed mood.
• Dowry also marital discord; never married, divorced, widowed.
• Unemployment.

5. Predisposing factors:

Self hate due to either guilt or low self esteem.

State of extreme agitation in which individual is tense also cannot think clearly.

Constitution of intellectual forces to such extent that individual cannot think beyond the immediate situation. [2]

Some common risk factors i.e.:

• Age
• Physical illness
• Widowed, either divorced, or separated
• Social isolation
• Loneliness
• Grief
• Threat of moving to a residential home
• Alcohol abuse
• Depression, either past or present
• Recent contact with a psychiatrist

Pathogenesis refers to the development of a disease. It’s the story of how a disease gets started and progresses.

This is the entire journey of a disease, encompassing the cause but going beyond it.

Pathophysiology, on the other hand, focuses on the functional changes that occur in the body due to the disease. It explains how the disease disrupts normal physiological processes and how this disruption leads to the signs and symptoms we see.

Imagine a car accident. Pathogenesis would be like understanding how the accident happened – what caused it, the sequence of events (e.g., one car ran a red light, then hit another car). Pathophysiology would be like understanding the damage caused by the accident – the bent fenders, deployed airbags, and any injuries to the passengers.

In simpler terms, pathogenesis is about the "why" of a disease, while pathophysiology is about the "how" of the disease’s effects.

1. Completed suicide:

• Intention of death.
• Serious attempt to kill own self and succeeds in doing so.
• 65 percent patients having severe depression commits completed suicide.
• Schizophrenics are more prone to commit this type as they have delusions also command hallucinations.
• History of previous attempts is an important factor to note.
• Additionally, 20-25 percent of successful suicides have made previous attempt. [2]
• The method is highly dependent on geographical location; for instance, in the USA shooting is the most common, whereas in the UK (which has very tight firearms laws) drug overdose, suffocation, and hanging are frequently used.
• More so than in younger patients, older people plan their suicide carefully, leaving an explanatory note and their affairs in order. [1]

2. Attempted suicide:

• Patient has serious intentions but somehow survives.
• Sometimes, in spite of complete planning, the patient somehow survives and has a strong guilt of suicidal action and again goes into depression.

3. Parasuicide:

• It is attempted in order to draw attention of others towards some overwhelming problem which patient faces at that time.
• Patient does not want to die, but wants to alter his life situation.
• The attempt is done in front of others dramatically.
• e.g. cutting the wrist, lying in front of railways or any other vehicle, consuming sleeping pills, pouring kerosene, etc.

4. Altruistic suicide:

• This type is less common and is committed for benefit of others.
• In detail, The patient may perceive it as a way to rid someone of the burden of caring for him.

5. Egoistic suicide:

Occurs when patient feels that he has never really been integrated into the society and does not belong to it. [2]

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Complications are what happen after you have a disease. They are the negative consequences of the disease process.

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Remedies:

Aurum:

Attempt it due to depression.

Veretrum:

Attempts due to mania.

Carcinosin:

Attempts due to cancer or family history of cancer.

Nux vomica:

Wants to attempt but lacks courage.

Hyoscyamus:

He is bugged of his delusions so wants to attempt suicide.

Wants to attempt it due to drunkenness – Arsenic, Belladonna, Nux Vomica.

By Different attempts:

By drowning i.e.:

Argentum Nitricum, Helleborus, Hyoscyamus, Lachesis, Rhus Tox, Pulsatilla.

By Fire i.e.:

Arsenic.

By Hanging i.e.:

Arsenic, Belladonna, Aurum Metalicum, Helleborus, Natrum Sulphuricum.

By Gassing i.e.:

Arsenic, Nux Vomica

Attempts due to Homesickness i.e.:

Capsicum

Wants to Kill him with Sharp Weapon i.e.:

Alumina

Suicide after Disappointment in Love i.e.:

Aurum Metalicum, Belladonna, Causticum, Hyoscyamus, Staphysagria.

By Shooting i.e.:

Natrum Sulphuricum, Staphysagria.

Suicidal Thoughts i.e.:

Aurum Metalicum, Carcinosin, Hepar Sulphuricum, Ignatia, Natrum Sulphuricum, Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Rhus Toxicodendron. [2]

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1. Psychiatry, Fourth Edition- Oxford Medical Publications – SRG- by Geddes, Jonathan Price, Rebecca McKnight / Ch 18.
2. Homeopathy in treatment of Psychological Disorders by Shilpa Harwani / Ch 21.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Suicide?

Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one’s own death.

Homeopathic Medicines used by Homeopathic Doctors in treatment of Suicide?

• Aurum
• Veretrum
• Carcinosin
• Nux vomica
• Hyoscyamus

What causes Suicide?

• Impulsiveness
• Dependence
• Unrealistic expectations
• Other causes
• Predisposing factors

What are the types of Suicide?

• Completed suicide
• Attempted suicide
• Parasuicide
• Altruistic suicide
• Egoistic suicide