Coping with Suicidal Thoughts

Did you know…?

Global Research indicates that more people die from Suicide than from War and Murder combined

It isn’t customary to have suicidal thoughts but many people still have them during the saddest and most depressing phase of their life. Having momentary suicidal thoughts is not necessarily a character defect, and it doesn’t mean that you are crazy, pathetic or flawed. It only means that you are in a state of extreme emotional distress which appears to be permanent. When this happens, it is important to acknowledge that circumstances in life never remain the same, it keeps changing and in time your emotional state will also progress and transform into a positive frame of mind, no matter how hopeless it feels right now.

With timely support and proper guidance, the misery of a suicidal person can be reduced to a large extent.

All you need to do is ask for it

If you are going through a very difficult phase in life which is making you question your existence in this world, the best thing you could do for yourself is to get professional help but if you feel you aren’t ready to take that step, the second best option would be to open your heart out to a family member, best buddy or any other trustable source.

Keep yourself occupied by participating in activities that are emotionally gratifying for you and will keep your mind away from depressing thoughts. Take a break from your routine life and go on a relaxing vacation, if possible with a family member or a friend who could accompany you everywhere. Spend some time exploring the beauty and peace of nature. Spiritual healing therapy is also extremely effective in helping people with suicidal tendencies.

Remember…Depression feels permanent, but it is transitory. Nothing stays the same, not even your feelings. Giving up on life may seem to be an easier option for the moment but your emotional state is bound to get better in coming days, weeks and months.

Free your home from things that you could use to hurt yourself such as pills, knives, razors, or firearms. If unable to do so, go to a place where you can feel safe.

In times of depression, any kind of external help seems feasible which is why most people turn to illegal drugs, non-prescription medication and alcohol for relief. This could be the worst move for your health and wellness. Suicidal thoughts can become stronger when a person is in an intoxicated state.

Seek help from an expert counselor or call a suicide hotline. They are a very helpful resource and can connect you with a therapist who will lend you a sympathetic ear to discuss your problems in a safe environment.

Remember… You are not the only one struggling with suicidal thoughts. At this moment there are hundreds and thousands across the globe who may be going through a similar emotional state. If all things negative in life is what is putting you down at the moment, think about all things positive to look forward to. Think about the people you love the most who would be severely hurt if anything bad happens to you. Think about a beloved pet that needs your love & care for survival. Think about your goals/aspirations that are yet to be accomplished.

Take some time to think about these reasons that would make you want to continue living. Life is beautiful only if you wish to see it that way

Take a good hard look at your life and the people in it. May be it will help you acknowledge that ‘Your Life Means More Than You Think’…!

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of Dementia and affects millions of people worldwide. This disorder is irreparable and destroys the brain cells which not only results in deterioration of the patient’s thinking ability but also causes significant memory loss. Medical research has yet to discover a cure for Alzheimer’s that effectively slows the progression of this disease, although medications can help relieve some symptoms.

Experts believe that age and genetic factors are 2 of the most important risk factors associated with Alzheimer’s. While a person does not have control over the process of ageing and his/her genetics, there are a few modifiable risk factors that could prevent the onset of this disease.

Obesity – Weight gain is the immediate result of unhealthy food habits & lack of physical exercise. A person who is over weight is highly prone to developing High blood pressure and Diabetes, both of which increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Head trauma – Studies have revealed that people who suffer severe or repeated head injuries are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease at some point in life. The deposits that form in the brain as a result of repeated head injuries could be blamed for this outcome.

Smoking – Apart from triggering a host of serious health issues, Smoking is also known to trigger Alzheimer’s disease as it disrupts blood circulation in the brain. The results of a significant meta-study revealed that smokers above the age of 65 have approximately 80% higher risk of Alzheimer’s than those who have never smoked.

Heart Disease. – Several studies conducted over the past few years have shown a close connection between the heart heath and brain health. Experts believe that people suffering from a medical condition that damages the heart or blood vessels have the highest risk of Alzheimer’s disease or Vascular dementia. Hence stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart patients should work with their doctor to constantly monitor their heart health and treat any problems that may arise at a later stage.

Lack of physical activity – Regular exercise not only boosts blood circulation but also increases the production of chemicals that protect the brain. Studies indicate that physically active people are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and therefore are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Lack of Mental activity – Any kind of mental activity that keeps your brain engrossed and functional can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. Mental challenges keep your cognitive functions healthy and that helps in making more cell-to-cell connections, which protects your brain against the impact of Alzheimer-related changes. Socially and mentally stimulating leisure activities like playing music, reading, or even playing challenging mind games can put a positive spin on this medical condition and slow down its progression.

Poor Diet – In the absence of a healthy diet, an ageing person’s chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s increases drastically. A wholesome diet that enables a person to maintain a healthy body weight reduces the likelihood of developing various illnesses that are linked with Alzheimer’s

Lack of sleep– Amyloid, is a memory-robbing protein, that builds up in the brain of a person who doesn’t get adequate sleep and this protein is responsible for attacking the brain’s long-term memory thereby resulting in Alzheimer’s

Did you know…?

India organ donation rate is one of the lowest in the World.

The plight of those waiting for Organ transplants is not something that is widely reported, yet it is a daily struggle for hundreds of people in India and countless others across the globe.

Of late an Indian Defence Aircraft was used as an Air Ambulance to fly a heart from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi for saving an auto driver’s life. In spite of several public awareness initiatives that are carried out on Organ Donation, there is still a huge gap between patients who need organ transplants and potential donors. It’s not that there aren’t sufficient organs to transplant. Anyone who dies naturally or in an accident is a potential donor. In spite of the fact that India has among the world’s highest number of deaths from road accidents, there is an acute shortage of organs for transplantation

‘Very recently I had expressed my wish to donate my organs after death, to which the response from my elders shocked me to the core. They were absolutely adamant about this and wanted me to do nothing but change my mind, stating that without my organs my soul would be denied entry to heaven’.

This kind of mentality is one of the major hurdles to Organ Donation in India. If people continue to maintain this kind of attitude, the situation is likely to get worse in terms of finding suitable donors. While there is an ample amount of information on organ donation & transplants, there is still a great lack of education & many myths surrounding this subject. As opposed to common beliefs, all major religions in India support organ, eye and tissue donation and see it as the final act of love & generosity towards others. Also, organ donation doesn’t leave a person disfigured. Whether transplanted from a living or deceased donor, this medical procedure is conducted in a very professional manner by highly trained medical experts. During this procedure, the human body is treated with dignity, care & respect hence there is no question of disfigurement.

Finding a donor match is already a tough ordeal, to add to it, bureaucratic hurdles and lack of awareness makes the entire process of Organ transplant and donation even more difficult in our country. Those belonging to the lower middle class income group who wish to donate their organs either do not have sufficient information about Organ donation or are hesitant to take the next step due to lack of awareness. ‘Donor Card’ seems to be an alien term for many who live below the poverty line. Also, not all hospitals in every Indian state, city and village are sufficiently equipped to carry out the complex procedure of Organ Transplantation.

Even if the hospital boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure that is required to carry out complex transplant procedures, sometimes it becomes extremely difficult for doctors to convince the family members to donate the organs of their deceased relative. Even if the family is ready to donate organs, religious superstitions become impediments. Speaking on the same lines, Tina Ambani, the Chairperson of Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital states that India lacks way behind with regards to organ donation, as compared to other countries. She also believes that a change of mindset & attitude towards Organ Donation is the need of the hour. To read full excerpts from her interview to TOI,visit: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Major-religions-view-organ-donation-as-charity/articleshow/48338140.cms :