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<p>While I thankfully haven't lost any close friends or relatives to suicide, I sadly have come across cases (successful and near-successful) in my practice.</p>
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<p>What I find striking is the apparent usual aloofness when confronted with such cases as there seems to be a tendency to blame and/or berate people who attempt/succeed at taking their own lives, especially when we become aware of the reason(s) for the drastic actions with our ever sure conclusion that nothing is worth extinguishing one's life over.</p>
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<p>...An undeniable fact is that it is quite normal for anyone of us to feel blue/sad over a pretty broad range of issues life throws at us at different times in our lives. However, the key consideration here is on the 'duration'. Yep, when these feelings appear persistent for whatever reason beyond what is deemed reasonable, then there is a real problem...'CLINICAL DEPRESSION'</p>
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<p>Clinical depression is a very real thing, a fact for which I make no apologies in admitting to experiencing at some point in my life. Not a mere fleeting episode of feeling under the weather, but a real and persisting plunge into the roiling waves of life's perceived and actual woes. It should never be swept under the rug, nor should an attempt at remediation be done simply by an admonishment to the sufferer to stiffen his back and take it like a man.</p>
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<p>Truth is that it's quite difficult to understand the misery and isolation sufferers go through and the steady spiral that may culminate in actual suicide which is a very, very real possibility for any sufferer if not properly handled.</p>
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<p>My write up is actually targeted at the observer (parent, sibling, spouse, lover, friend, acquaintance, etc)... the person who is in a position to take note of certain key attributes that alert to the 'ticking time bomb' (suicide) for the sufferer around him/her. Hence recognizing symptoms early on go a pretty long way in making helpful decisions and mitigating potentially catastrophic culminations.</p>
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<p>Suicide is a possible end result of persisting clinical depression. It therefore helps to know what signs to look out for... These are: feeling sad, hopeless and empty OR losing interest in usually enjoyable activities... in addition to at least any four of these other symptoms: crying more often than usual for no apparent reason; being overly anxious; feeling moody, irritable or restless; too much or too little sleep; difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness and making decisions; persistently doubting oneself; thoughts of harming oneself (suicidal ideation), unexplained aches and pains, etc.</p>
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<p>Clinical depression is a very real thing. It is serious! If not identified or taken seriously/controlled, it could progress and result in suicidal tendencies. Keep your eyes open and identify as well as you can where applicable.</p>
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<p>Sufferers benefit immensely from the services of a Psychiatrist. This doesn't in any way signify 'madness' in the sufferer, but simply requiring the services of a doctor specialized in the care of the mind as we'd generally have no qualms seeing an Ophthalmologist on issues relating to our eyes.</p>
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<p>Do a bit of research for more information.</p>
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<p>#BeInTheKnow<br>#clinicaldepression<br>#NoToSuicide</p>
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