The suicide and suicidal people are a universal and multi-causal phenomenon that has been present throughout history, although currently it is increasing, due to the appearance of problems inherent to society.
There are different terminologies related to suicide and it is important to differentiate between behavior, thinking and suicide attempt. What characteristics do suicidal people have? What is meant by suicidal behavior?
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Suicide has been defined as the concern or action aimed at causing one's own death voluntarily. In it there are multiple factors that intervene, such as socioeconomic level, personality variables, suffering from a mental illness, family environment, sexual relations, level of studies reached ...
Suicidal thoughts are ideas of committing suicide or the desire to kill oneself, cognitions that range from fleeting thoughts about not wanting to live, to self-describing fantasies.
A suicide attempt is an action aimed at causing one's own death, and which does not culminate in said objective, comprising varied behaviors that range from manipulative gestures and attempts to failed attempts to end one's life.
As Freud said in his day, in the human being two basic instincts act, and in general in all forms of life; the eros and the thanatos; the life instinct and the death instinct.
Both instincts begin to operate or are present from the moment each individual is born. Between them there is a permanent struggle that creates tension, both in the individual in particular, and possibly also in human society..
Youth is a turbulent stage, of continuous changes both at a physical, psychological and social level, and of preparation of the subject for adulthood. This means that the adolescent must assume greater responsibilities, that he / she sets objectives and goals, and that he / she leaves behind other stages of his / her life where he / she took refuge under the wings of his / her parents..
Throughout this stage, the subject will experience a series of experiences, such as the divorce of the parents, moving to a new city, changing friends, difficulties at school or other losses ...
You will be placed in vulnerable conditions due to the experience of intense stress, confusion, fear and uncertainty, and you will feel that you are not able to handle what happens to you.
Therefore, you may resort to maladaptive strategies, such as the use of psychoactive substances, the management of inappropriate relationships, violence, bullying, abuse and suicide, among others..
Early detection of risk factors can help prevent suicide, so it is good to take into account the factors involved.
Low socioeconomic status, low educational level and unemployment in the family pose a risk, since they limit social participation.
The inappropriate role of the family, for example when there are dysfunctional relationships between its components, the absence of family warmth, the lack of intra-family communication, and the formation of conflictive triangles (mother and child against father, parents against children ...), can become in something harmful, generating a climate of uncomfortableness that can lead to the use of maladaptive behaviors.
A hostile, incomprehensible environment, substance abuse by parents, family history of suicide, family violence, divorce, family unemployment, and terminal and infectious diseases also play a role..
Suicidal people can have depressive, anxiety, psychotic, eating, personality disorders or as well as substance abuse.
They are also often impulsive, emotionally unstable, irritable, with antisocial behaviors, low tolerance for frustration and bad relationships with their parents,
Referring to biological factors, research has found that there are low levels of serotonin, as well as a decreased activity in the ventral prefrontal cortex, responsible for the inhibition of behaviors.
Regarding protective factors, good family relationships and social support stand out..
Regarding personal factors, social skills, having good self-esteem, having the ability to seek help when there are difficulties, being receptive to the experiences and solutions of others, and avoiding the use of addictive substances are protective..
Within the culture and sociodemography we find that the affective and social integration networks, the good existing relationships with their classmates, with their teachers and other adults, support from relevant people and having a sense of life.
Regarding environmental factors, a good diet, rest, sunlight, physical exercise and an environment without drugs or tobacco.
Once all the variables that are linked to suicide, the protective and risk factors have been analyzed, and seeing that it is a tragic public health problem, and that it is increasing by leaps and bounds, it would be good to consider prevention work.
Early intervention for legal and illegal mental and substance abuse disorders is one of the most effective ways to prevent suicide and suicidal behavior. As well as controlling the effects of stress and aggressive behaviors.
It has been seen that the delimitation of populations with specific characteristics, the use of psychoeducational strategies regarding risk and protection factors, the use of combined strategies, and intervention at different levels of prevention are the actions that are best related to success. in prevention programs.
The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control is working to raise awareness of suicide as a serious public health problem worth investing income in.
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