HELP TOPIC
NO LONGER WANTING TO LIVE
A patient’s behavior indicating that they have withdrawn from social life and are burdened by feelings of guilt may be a sign to those around them that their problems are becoming more serious. Withdrawing from life and a strong sense of being a burden to others can increase feelings of meaninglessness in people who are ill. In such cases, the patient may come to the conclusion that taking their own life is the best option. A lack of desire to live and the conviction that problems cannot be solved can become a driving force behind action. Suicidal thoughts and a sense of hopelessness may then worsen and lead to tragedy. However, not everyone acts on these thoughts. Negativity and a lack of meaning in continued existence do not necessarily lead to bargaining with your life. In addition, in patients, a lack of desire to live may result in passivity and isolation.
Symptoms
Mood deterioration, apathy, anhedonia, the desire to escape daily tasks and problems, sleep problems, irritability, and vulnerability to emotional instability—these are feelings that accompany each of us to a greater or lesser extent.
Among the other symptoms, the following are distinguished:
- low self-esteem,
- a state of constant, persistent sadness,
- appetite disturbances (loss of appetite or excessive appetite),
- major weight fluctuations—even gaining or losing a few pounds in a month,
- sleep disturbances (including excessive sleepiness, insomnia, sleeping too long),
- reduced concentration,
- anhedonia—the inability to feel pleasure,
- difficulty making decisions,
- decreased vital energy,
- constant fatigue,
- lack of hope for improvement in mental well-being,
- feeling irritable,
- suicidal thoughts,
- sometimes there may also be feelings of guilt or chronic stomach pain and related problems.
Causes
The reasons vary: it is usually caused by stress resulting from different life situations. In most cases, once these situations are resolved, these and similar symptoms disappear. However, if the general aversion to everything does not go away and also turns into simply no longer wanting to live, these may be symptoms of various mental disorders: dysthymia, anxiety disorders, or depression. Do not underestimate similar conditions that have been ongoing for a long time without any sign of improvement.
Treatment
Problems that arise in social, family, and professional life often require treatment. In extreme cases, there is also a high risk of suicide by the patient. The most effective form of treatment is psychotherapy. The psychotherapist helps the affected person understand the causes of a negative attitude and shows appropriate patterns of action. During psychotherapy, the therapist often needs to revisit memories from early childhood. This helps identify the source of the illness, as well as relive difficult experiences and understand them in a completely different way. The occurrence of severe depressive states requires the use of antidepressants and anxiolytic medication. As a result, it is possible to reduce the frequency of anxiety and the risk of suicide attempts.
SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES