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4.06.2015

Suicide...Why Does Someone End Their Life?



Suicide is the result of a severe brain dis-ease

The brain is diseased, dis-eased

The last two weeks have brought 5 suicides to my attention. Not my personal loved ones, but people and families that are facing this new and horrible fact. Their loved one will not ever return and they are stuck with the WHY's and the "I should haves" - even distant friends and family, maybe those pushed away earlier by the deceased, will feel somewhat guilty for what they could not do - the phone call not returned, the slightest tiff or huge argument - prevent the brain disease.

It's not like most other diseases where a blood test or mass can prove the toxin is present. 

Howe‎ver, there are several diseases that also do not meet that criteria: we simply rely on a series of red flags, arrows that point in a certain direction before we can sum up the diagnosis.

Would I be angry at another disease that takes a loved ones life? Would I feel shame if my child or parent is overtaken by, say, cancer or pneumonia? No...I would intellectually understand that an illness took his life,  disabled his immune system.

It is a tremendous pain in the brain that cannot, for the moment, be alleviated with medicine, exercise, drinking, sleep, or logic.

The brain, in its dis-eased state, cannot be reasoned with or cooled down.

It is searing fire. In its fight or flight mandate to survive, it will attempt to problem-solve, and herein lies the very misdirected thinking that leads to suicide. “If I end my life, I will fix (stop) my problems. I’m not helping anyone and this sickness is more than I can bear. It will never go away. I am a burden to others.”

Suicide is the decimation or domination of clear thinking, overpowering coping skills and pushing out any feelings of being loved or needed.

And, like many diseases, we don't understand where it originated, where it took hold, why such a loved one got it when others did not.

Diseases do not favor one person over another: we cannot say, "he was so talented, why him?" or "she had so much to live for, how could she have given in to ---."

Many narrowly escape this terminal ending of brain disease. 

·     We cannot totally prevent cancer, or brain disease, but we can be proactive and do some things that lead to good health and well-being. 


·         Learn about healthy behaviors


·         Talk about healthy behaviors


·         Ask experts about health and well-being


·         Look for signs of poor health


·         Move beyond embarrassment over moods, problems, appearances. It's just stupid to worry about how we "look" to others.  


·         It's smart to worry about how we feel and how we function in the world, our community.


·         Be the educated one - bring it up, ask questions, shirk away from silent suffering.


·         Do not endorse or support macho, prideful thinking or behaviors in others. It can cause brain disease.