Everyone knows that sooner or later death will overtake each of us. The only difference is who and how will face it. Some leave, having gone through the process of natural aging, others die in connection with an accident, a serious illness or decide to expedite the inevitable outcome of events on their own. But what is pushing these people toward such extreme measures and can this be somehow prevented? Parasuicide is something that is often confused with an unsuccessful attempt to die, but it is precisely this misconception that prevents us from really fighting the number of suicides committed.
What is parasuicide?
The concept of parasuicide was introduced in 1977 by Norman Kreitman. According to him, a person resorting to parasuicide does not initially set a goal to say goodbye to life once and for all. His actions consist in demonstratively causing harm to his health in the form of various injuries and imitation of suicide to attract attention from outside. As a rule, most often this behavior is observed among people at a young age who are in a state of acute distress. Under the onslaught of certain life problems, not seeing another way out of the situation that has developed in their lives, they resort to self-destructive actions. But despite the fact that parasuicidal acts should not initially lead to death, do not underestimate them. In attempts to draw attention to themselves and their problems, attention often often ends with this.
Causes of Parasuicidal Behavior
Thanks to one study with patients hospitalized after parasuicide, it was revealed that the decision to commit it was made by people impulsively and in a short time. Often the reason for this was problems in relations with loved ones, who occupied an important place in their lives. The motives were the speedy getting rid of the heavy feeling of stress, the escape from the current situation and the need to show others their despair experienced by them at that moment. Young people under the age of 20 were motivated primarily by influencing someone.
In connection with the negative attitude of society to certain motives for this act, it is generally accepted that parasuicide is the destiny of manipulators. Because of this, some patients declare their actions as a true desire to die, because then the attitude of people towards them will be more acceptable.
Parasuicide among children and adolescents
When considering the topic of parasuicidal behavior under the age of 20 years, the Republic of Belarus will be taken as an example. First of all, it is worth noting that self-mutilation and a tendency to self-destruction are most common among women. 65 recorded parasuicides, of which only 10 were committed by males, as the statistics for 2017 in the Republic of Belarus indicate.
What will happen if you commit a parasuicide - the younger generation usually does not seriously think about it, simply relying on the fact that it somehow helps to avoid the current difficulties in life. And not seeing another way of suppressing negative emotions, accompanied by severe stress, adolescents cause cuts in various parts of their body, thereby relieving stress. And sometimes they take almost lethal doses of drugs, given the fact that someone will save them.
According to WHO, suicides are second among the most common causes of death among adolescents. Often the reason for this is conflicts with peers, teachers, parents, as well as unrequited love, fear of loneliness and the future. Their fears of being misunderstood and their lack of ability to open up before other people only hinder the outburst of emotions in a different way than to resort to parasuicide.
How to recognize a person’s tendency to self-destruction
About 80% of people planning to take extreme measures before implementing their plans, let at least one person from their environment know about it. But not everyone is destined to understand what is on his mind, since the ways to convey this information in some cases can be quite veiled. The main changes in a person that should suggest a possible parasuicide are:
- A state of depression, manifested by a lack of appetite or severe overeating, sleep disturbance, indifference to many things, longing, etc.
- Conversations on relevant topics, that is, discussions about suicide, death, life-burdensome problems.
- Some individuals begin to talk about how worthless, helpless they are and cannot find a way out of a particular situation.
- Cuts and burn marks, albeit of a minor nature, can be found on the arms, legs, stomach, shoulder area.
- Sometimes there is an increase in interest in literature, films and music with suicidal content.
- In addition to obvious injuries in the form of cuts, there is an abuse of alcohol, narcotic substances and other ways of harming oneself (intentional refusal to sleep, food, etc.).
- Defiant and impulsive behavior (crime, leaving home, sexual immorality).
It must be understood that all people are different, so you should not look in one person for all of the above items. Moreover, not every person prone to parasuicide will openly speak out about their problems in front of the people around him.
Giving help
Having suspected a person of parasuicidal tendencies, trust your intuition and do not miss signals indicating a possible danger. Meanwhile, do not push or force him to immediately tell you about the source of anxiety. Make it clear that you are ready to help and will not condemn anything, but you should not give him empty promises that you are not able to fulfill. Despite the fact that the definition of parasuicide does not mean a person’s intention to die, people who resort to him are ultimately prone to commit suicide.
If a person initially decided to share personal problems with you, regardless of the degree of shock at the information he heard, do not push him away. It is possible that you are the first and last to whom he ventured to turn. Let me speak out and help realize that the current sense of hopelessness will not haunt him forever. Know that talking openly about hurting yourself will not lead to an attempt to take your own life, but only help you feel relieved. The main thing is not to criticize a person prone to parasuicide, this will only contribute to the loss of contact with him. As well as the scoring of the following phrases: "someone is worse off than you," "you were thinking everything out for yourself," "just think about how you will dishonor your family." This is the last thing to say to a person in serious condition.