Suicidal Tendency

(Impulse to commit suicide)
Investigation:
1) A full history of the patient should be obtained from relatives or friends to elicit reasons for
suicide
2) One should enquire whether any attempt was made previously
3) Also try to know past psychiatric incidences (disorders of the mind including psychoses and
neurosis)
4) Also ascertain whether the patient genuinely intended to die. The objective may be to attract
attention to some serious emotional disturbance.
Causes:
1) It may be due to very high level of stress, Human body’s main stress hormone is CORTISONE
2) Prolonged depression
3) Hypo or hyper tension
Remedies:
1) Aurum Met 12x, 4 hourly, a few doses: The patient seeks opportunity for selfdestruction. Feeling of utter worthlessness, hopelessness, and despondency overpowers him.
He constantly dwells on suicide, talks of suicide and entertains great desire to commit
suicide. He may complain of violent pain in head and may be afflicted with high blood
pressure, and horrible odor from nose and mouth.
2) Natrum Sulph 6x: Tendency to suicide, attended with wildness and irritability, fromexcessive secretion of bile, sleeplessness and delirium. It may be consequential to mental
troubles arising from a fall or other injuries to the head. It may be given four times a day for
some days.
3) Kali Phos 6x: It is the chief remedy in all mental disorders, arising from a want of nerve
or brain power. It controls grey matter of the brain entirely. “Kali Phos is one of the most
wonderful curative agents ever discovered by man, and the blessings it has already
conferred on the race are many.” It may be given three or four times a day.
4) Silicea 6x, twice a day: If the patient wishes to drown herself during menses or while
perspiring.
Management:
Let the patient –
1) Do things he enjoys and enjoy what he does
2) Pursue a hobby
3) Do gardening which is a soothing exercise
4) Go on vacation to see beauty of Nature
5) Laugh often. See a funny movie, funny TV show or read a funny book
6) Do regular exercise, walk whenever he gets time
7) Love people, help others
8) Eliminate self-pity
9) Do not suppress emotions. Express feelings
10) Avoid nicotine, alcohol, Caffeine
11) Adopt relaxation techniques – Yoga etc.