HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR SUICIDAL TENDENCY IN TEENAGERS

It is shocking to read in the papers almost every day the rate at which teenagers  are committing suicides. Teenage suicide has become a growing concern among our Isociety. So what is it that triggers these young brains to take such a big step? Fast life? Stress? Depression? Loneliness? Peer pressure? Exam and study related anxiety? Issues with parents? Inability to cope with life? Or all of this? Most students today agree to the fact that they have had suicidal thoughts at least once in their life. Isn’t this scary? Well, it is high time parents and teachers need to get together and address this issue more strongly.

Many teens who attempt or die by suicide have a mental health condition. As a result, they have trouble coping with the stress of being a teen, such as dealing with rejection, failure, breakups and family turmoil. They might also be unable to see that they can turn their lives around — and that suicide is a permanent response, not a solution, to a temporary problem.

Causes--Causes of teenage suicide can be difficult to pinpoint and may involve several factors. Teens go through a vulnerable period at this stage in their lives. No matter how small or big their problems, their troubles may feel unbearable or overwhelming. Noticeable changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from friends and family or violent and aggressive behavior, are among the many signs of potential teen suicide, but parents and mental health care providers also need to understand the causes of suicide in teens for effective prevention.

Major Disappointment

Suffering through a major disappointment such as rejection, loss of a boyfriend or girlfriend and failure at school or in sports may trigger suicidal tendencies in teens, who have difficulty coping with these kinds of situations. These circumstances alone may not be responsible for suicide, but they are factors that contribute to a teen's taking extreme measures, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, points out.

Stress

Stress, confusion, pressure and worries about self-worth are common problems in many teens that can trigger suicide, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Teens may have to go through parental divorce, moving in with a new family, living in a new location or going to a different school. In some cases, teens may be victims of physical or sexual abuse. These are unsettling matters that intensify uncertain feelings such as distress, anxiety or agitation.

Depression

Depression is a major cause of suicide that can be present in the teenage years. This mental disorder can cause feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, according to Kids Health. Depression can be particularly harmful for teens who experience violence at home or at school and feel isolated from their peers or lack a social network of friends. Approximately 75 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from depression, according to the Harris County Psychiatric Center at the University of Texas.

Substance Abuse

Drug or alcohol abuse can lead to impulsive behavior, especially if a teen is haunted by other problems such as a mental disorder or family difficulties. Like adults who turn to alcohol or drugs, teens may believe that substance abuse will bring them relief from surrounding difficulties, but it only worsens the problems. Substance abuse and mental disorders play prominent roles in a majority of suicides, Kids Health notes.

Biology

Genetic components related to brain chemistry may be involved in teen suicides, NAMI notes. Teens with a family history of mental disorders or suicide are at increased risk of suicide or suicide attempts. Being in an environment in which a suicide has occurred with a relative could produce thoughts of suicide for vulnerable teens. Low levels of the brain chemical serotonin may be a cause of suicide, NAMI says. Serotonin controls impulsive actions. Low levels of the chemical may lead to impulsive behavior, including suicide

Risk factors

A teen might feel suicidal due to certain life circumstances such as:

·         Having a psychiatric disorder, including depression

·         Loss of or conflict with close friends or family members

·         History of physical or sexual abuse or exposure to violence

·         Problems with alcohol or drugs

·         Physical or medical issues, for example, becoming pregnant or having a sexually transmitted infection

·         Being the victim of bullying

·         Being uncertain of sexual orientation

·         Exposure to the suicide of a family member or friend

·         Begin adopted

·         Family history of mood disorder or suicidal behaviour

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

AURUM METALLICUM 200-Aurum Met is one of the top remedies for suicidal tendency in teenages. There is a feeling   feeling of self-condemnation and utter worthlessness. Profound despondency, with increased blood pressure, with thorough disgust of life, and  thoughts of suicide.Talks ofcomitting suicide. Looks on the dark side, weeps, prays, thinks she is not fit for this world, longs for death, strong inclination to commit suicide. Brood over some sin which they have committed. Sense of unworthiness. Violent if contradicted . Aurum met. is  the most common and most definite of all the depression remedies. In a case of acute depression the patient is brooding melancholy and just sits and peers in front of him and will not speak .  They look extremely depressed and have all sorts of strange ideas. They think they have lost the affection of their friends and family, or that they have done something frightful and that they are therefore feeling like this because they are to blame for it. They blame themselves for everything and get a real disgust of life. They are the patients who become suicidal.

MAGNESIUM CARBONICUM 200-Magnesium carb is another effective remedy for suicidal tendency in teenagers.There is  forsaken feeling,feels as if not beloved  by his parents, friends, etc.  Intolerant of disharmony. Sensitive to what people think about them. Reserved. Easily hurt and depressed. –   Sensitive to noise, touch, etc. This remedy is suitable to  orphans, abandoned children and  adopted children.  They are  very irritable and  discontented. There is  anxiety and fears all through the day, worse from  warm food, and better when  going to bed.   Biting nails is another indication of this remedy.

IGNATIA AMARA 200—Ignatia can be helpful when  depression follows from bereave­ment, loss, or a shock, such as witness­ing a fatal road accident. The symptom picture is typified by emotional ups and downs with mood swings . Often the sufferer can prove difficult for friends and loved ones to deal with as they are so up and down, being resist­ant to sympathy and oversensitive to well meaning advice, which may be wrongly taken as criticism. It may be hard for them to talk if they are overcome with their miser­able situation and friends can find it well high impossible to cheer up such patients. Poor sleep is common.

KALI PHOSPHORICUM 200- Kali phos is for mental depression caused by excitement, overwork, worry, insomnia and suicidal tendency. If a person feels depression after working too hard , being physically ill, or going through prolonged emotional stress or excitement this remedy can be helpful. Exhausted , nervous and jumpy, they may have difficulty in working or concentrating and become discouraged and lose confidence . Headaches from mental effort, easy perspiration , sensitive to cold, anemia, insomnia and indigestion are often seen when this remedy is needed .

MAGNESIUM MURIATICUM 200-Magnesium mur. is an effective remedy for suicidal tendency in teenagers . There is emotional vulnerability and  sensitive to any kind of confrontation. Magnesium mur. people are  pacifists and  tries to resolve conflicts. No cowardice. Ailments from quarrels, even between others.    Suppresses emotions for the sake of others . Want others to be happy.  Introverted. Avoid being hurt. Develop bitterness. Sour temperament.  Dissatisfaction. Irritable. Depressed. Stronge sense of duty. Overload themselves. Become overwrought. Nervous restlessness. Normal sleep cycle becomes disturbed. Never quite catch up. Completely unable to relax under any circumstance.There is restlessness and anxiety on lying down and closing eyes.  Magnesium mur. patients are   tries to run on nervous energy and  break down with hysterical fits. Anxious over little things .Every thought tends to repeat itself in the mind.  While reading felt she must keep reading faster and faster.

NATRUM MURIATICUM 200-Natrum mur. patients are emotionally sensitive and vulnerable. Mentally they have a high degree of objectivity and awareness, as well as a great sense of responsibility. Throughout life this  individuals  experience deeply all impressions of life and accumulating awareness and understanding beyond their age. At first, they enjoy company and thrive on the nourishment of emotional contact with others.They are   reluctant to date, for fear of rejection. Even imagined slights can cause suffering. After being hurt several times, they learn to become cautious. They will think twice before becoming involved in an emotional experience. They turn to introverted activities which are emotionally “safe”, i.e. reading books (usually romantic fiction or things having practical value in human relations), listening to music, dwelling on ideas and fantasies.  Natrum mur patients are   very sensitive to disharmony. If the parents fight they may not react immediately but will suffer inside, perhaps even to the point of acquiring a physical ailment. As the emotional vulnerability becomes increasingly pathological the patient becomes depressed. This is a depression which is inconsolable, and may even become suicidal.

NATRUM SULPH 200-Natrum Sulph is an important medicine for the treatment of major depression where psychotic symptoms of suicidal thoughts are in a greater magnitude, where the patient has to be physically refrained from committing such an act.Dislikes to speak , to to be spoken to.