To live or not to live
March 01, 2023
Sometimes when we are alone, we tend to get dwelled in our thoughts and start to question a lot of things about life. One such question that might pop up in our head is “What is the purpose of life”?
It is pretty common for people to ponder upon such existentialist questions. We may start to feel empty, or start wondering if we are truly living a life that is worth it.
A lot of times people tend to suffer from depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. For them, life has no meaning and they start questioning their entire existence and begin to feel worthless.
When in that state, suicide seems like the only option because nothing makes them happy. Suicidal thoughts are a symptom of an underlying problem. If a loved one is having these thoughts or talking about suicide, it is essential to take action and help them.
A person who experiences suicidal thoughts may show the following signs:
- Feeling hopeless or trapped
- Talking about Guilt, Revenge, or shame
- Increased use of drugs or alcohol
- Isolating themselves
- Talking about being a burden to themselves
- Expressing severe remorse and self-criticism
- Having sudden mood swings, either happy or sad
- Feeling intolerable emotional pain
What causes Suicidal Thoughts?
Suicidal thoughts generally occur when a person begins to feel hopeless, worthless, or they are no longer able to cope up with an overwhelming situation. This could stem from death of a loved one, end of a relationship, financial problems, or an illness.
The following factors may cause suicidal thoughts:
- Engaging in impulsive behaviour
- A family history of violence or suicide
- Feeling neglected
- Child Abuse or Trauma
- A history of mental health issues
- Having a physical illness or health condition
- Identifying as LGBTQIA + with no family support
- Experiencing bullying or trauma
- Legal problems or debt
- Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol
If you notice any of these signs in your loved ones, immediately seek help and don’t leave it unnoticed.
Here are some tips for helping someone going through a crisis:
- Ask them what they are thinking about.
- Keep them safe by staying around and removing any means of them hurting themselves
- Listen to them and be there for them
- Encourage them to seek help or get in touch with someone who can support them such as a friend, family member, or a mentor
- Constantly keep in touch with them
Suicide is never the option and never will be. It won’t be easy dealing with someone who has suicidal thoughts, but it’s not impossible. Don’t give up on them so easily and try to show them the good things in life. Encourage them, motivate them, and most importantly, be there for them. Tell them that life can really be worth it if you want it to be.
Here are a few things you can do to make life worth it:
Accept: The only way to get through almost everything in life is to accept. Without acceptance, we can never move forward.
Always strive for happiness: Happiness is a state of mind. It is found within us and if we keep looking for it outside we will never be able to find it.
Don’t be afraid of failure: We are bound to make mistakes because we are only human. If you make a mistake, learn from it and move on. If you fail remember you’re not a failure, it simply means you failed doing something.
We’ve learnt that life can be sometimes be really heartbreaking and can lead us to a path full of self-destruction. It is only on us to bounce back from failure, tough times, and heartbreak. If we’re unable to do it by ourselves, then professional help or talking to a loved one always helps.
Don’t ignore your negative emotions or your suicidal tendencies because the more we keep it inside, the more it will end up destroying us.
Instead, face the reality and try to deal with it. Surround yourself with good people, do things that make you happy, and try to find meaning in life again.
Cherish the good times and learn from the bad ones.
Always remember,
Life is a journey; not a destination.
