***Suicide And Children: What Are The Causes?

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in young people. A major cause of suicide is mental illness, commonly known as depression. Young adults who are suffering from depression are often overwhelmed by painful emotions and see death as the only way out. There are several categories or levels of depression.

Situational Depression: Sadness due to break up of friendship, loss, not being successful or a short term failure are common examples of situational depression. Almost ever human-being faces this kind of depression in their life time.

Acute Depression: On-going situational depression that may begin to affect the body in a physical manner. A constant sadness, lack of sleep and anxiety are common symptoms.

Chronic Depression: A constant, on-going depression, sadness, mood swings that last for weeks or months. Chronic depression often requires medical interventions that often includes medicine prescribed by psychiatrist.

Clinical Depression: Depression that requires treatment that may include hospitalization and advanced form of therapy.

The good news is that depression, with appropriate medical diagnosis and interventions, is treatable!

Some form of severe depression or clinical depression commonly occurs concurrently with or can be precipitated by injury or other medical illnesses, and worsens the prognosis for these illnesses. Lack of social supports and the absence of avenues for fulfillment also predispose some to depression. Depression is more common in women than in men, though its most dramatic outcome, death by suicide, is more common in men. Suicides seldom occur without warning. If you are aware of common signs and of changes in child behavior, you can recognize and better help a person in crisis.

Depression is an illness often referred to as a disorder. We need to begin to look at depression like we look at any other diseases. This time, however, the disease affects the brain. It also affects the body's ability to biologically create and balance a normal range of thoughts, emotions, & energy. The risk of suicide is increased by concurrent alcohol and drug abuse, access to lethal means, hopelessness, and reduced by help-seeking behavior, and availability of family and other social supports. Depression is often difficult to diagnose because it can manifest in so many different ways. For example, some depressed individuals seem to withdraw into apathy, while others may become irritable or even agitated. Depression is a pernicious and all encompassing disorder, generally affecting body, feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to varying degrees. Depression can and should be treated when it occurs at the same time as other medical illnesses.

Untreated depression can delay recovery or worsen the outcome of these other illnesses. Depression leads to disharmony at home, difficulties at work and inte
al distress. If your child is displaying the signs of depression, make an appointment and have your child see a doctor today.

IF YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAS SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, SEE YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR NOW OR CALL 911