Suicide is defined as the act of taking your own life. You may want to give up on life when someone close to you has died or when you had a bad breakup from a relationship. If you have experienced thoughts of suicide, there are several reasons for this feeling.

Mental illness

Mental illness is considered to be one of the most common causes of suicide. One of the symptoms that most mental conditions have in common is feeling depressed. Mental conditions include bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression and schizophrenia. When you and your doctor struggle to find a treatment that can effectively treat your mental condition, you may feel helpless and fear that you may never feel normal again. You might feel the only way to end the pain is to end your life. 

Anxiety may cause you to fear your surroundings and prevent you from adapting to changes in life. In some cases, anxiety makes it extremely difficult for you to maintain friendships, finish school, or keep a steady job. Then the combination of loneliness and fear leads you to think about suicide. 

Major depression is considered to be a leading cause of suicide throughout the world. People who are unable to cope with their depressive symptoms have a greater risk for following through with suicide. Up to 90 percent of cases of depression report having suicidal thoughts.

(Read also: Homosexual teens more likely to develop depression, suicidal thoughts: Study)

Traumatic experience

When you have gone through a traumatic experience, you may feel extreme shame or guilt that can lead to thoughts of suicide. Such traumatic experiences include warfare, physical or sexual abuse. You may develop a condition called post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is characterized by flashbacks or blockage of memories surrounding the traumatic experience. PTSD can cause intense feelings of anxiety that can interfere with managing a normal life. This can lead to suicidal thoughts.

Bullying

Bullying has a profound effect on the way people think and how they feel, regardless of how often and how they are bullied. If you are bullied, you might feel extremely depressed, worthless and hopeless that your situation will change.

Unfortunately, in many cases, bullying doesn’t get enough recognition and is not reported soon enough until everything is out of control and the victim feel suicide is the only way to escape the pain that they are experiencing. 

The development of technology creates a phenomenon called 'cyber bullying', where the victim is bullied online. This happens on social media sites, comments sections of websites and various blogs that aim to ruin your reputations and make you feel ashamed. Unless you have solutions to cope with this, suicidal thoughts might come up.

Drug addiction or substance abuse

If you are addicted to drugs or abuse drugs or alcohol on a consistent basis, it’s time to give it up. There is strong evidence that drug addiction or substance abuse can make you become depressed. While drugs or alcohol may provide you with short-term relief from the pain, they don’t help solve the problems in your real life. Drugs and alcohol are able to alter the function of the brain and neurotransmitters, resulting in deep depression. You may feel helpless to overcome whatever addiction you face. Symptoms of drugs and substance abuse withdrawal can be painful and unbearable. At these times, suicide feels like the last way to get out of addiction trap.

Relationship problems

Problems in a relationship, for example, being in abusive relationships, not feeling appreciated or going through break-ups can be a big struggle in life. This is especially true for romantic relationships. Problems in romantic relationship can lead to more intense feelings of depression, anxiety, guilt and panic. Relationship problems can cause a lot of emotional pain and drown you in suicidal thoughts. Feeling afraid of loneliness or isolation, you might be willing to join gangs or look for relief in drugs and alcohol.

When you can’t cope with your emotional pain, you may feel hopeless and suicidal. But it is important to know that pain is an inevitable part of life. Everyone can deal with pain to a certain extent, but intense emotional pain may lead to suicidal thoughts. Understanding what causes your suicidal thoughts will help you get out of them and gain back control.

If you feel suicidal, consult with a doctor to help you find ways to cope with your pain and prevent suicide. (kes)

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