Suicidal Behavior as a Psychological Disorder - Research Paper Example

Suicidal Behavior as a Psychological disorder Suicide, thoughts of committing suicide, and attempted suicide are, as of the early 1980s. Suicidal behavior involves the act of an individual taking his own life on purpose. It is an act that can claim the life of the affected individual. CDC (Centre for disease control & prevention) defines suicidal behavior as mortality, which occur as a result of poisoning, suffocation, and injury where there exist some evidences that the injuries were inflicted by the affected self, and the goal of the affected individual was to kill oneself (American Psychological Association, 2009). According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, suicidal behavior is one among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and ranks sixth among the leading causes of death, and third among the leading causes of death among fifteen to nineteen year olds (American Psychological Association, 2013). This study shows that individuals of ages between fifteen years and forty years are the most vulnerable to this disorder. In this case, about one percent of boys, and two percent of girls in an adolescent stage attempt committing suicide each year, and another five to ten percent of children come up with plans to commit suicide each year. Studies have categorized suicide or suicidal behavior as a psychological disorder, and according to these studies, it is only through understanding the deeper symptoms, including its causes, as well as its treatment mechanisms that its solution can be found (American Psychological Association, 2009). This paper will explore Frank’s case, a suicide behavior victim, with a view to critically review the causes, symptoms, diagnosis strategies of suicidal behavior, as well as the recommended treatment for suicidal behavior. Frank is a character in the movie ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ by Carell Steve. He is homosexual and a Proust expert. In this movie, Frank attempts to take suicide due to his boyfriend’s rejection. Causes of suicidal behavior. Bipolar disorder. Perlis (2008) indicates that the first cause of suicidal behavior is bipolar disorder. As depicted in the above movie, before committing suicide, Frank went through some depression, which was characterized by extreme happiness and extreme irritability. This was brought out in his response when he was asked by Olive why he was unhappy. Bipolar disorder involves a condition in which an individual has durations of depression, becoming irritable as observed above, mixed with extremely happy. The disorder has been reported to affect most if not all male individuals in comparison to the female counterparts (Perlis, 2008). In an individual’s life, the onset of the disorder is at the age of fifteen years to twenty five. Research has shown that the disorder occurs as a result of gene transfer (American Psychological Association, 2009). Frank case explains it all. As demonstrated in the movie, he had a period of insomnia which triggered the disorder. Insomnia is a condition in which an individual has some problems in obtaining sleep. As exemplified in the movie, noticing this problem Frank had been told not to kill himself that night. Studies conducted in this field show that bipolar disorder occurs whenever an individual has a problem obtaining sleep, and that causes him or her to be easily be distracted, have a poor judgement, poor control of his temper, be a reckless character, and lack self control, and therefore resort to heavy drinking and drug abuse. For example, Frank was told by Sheryl that she was glad he was there. This meant that Frank had not slept, even after finishing his talk with Dwayne, a while earlier. In other cases, a patient with bipolar disorder may be extremely elevated, irritable, expansive, talk more than he/she is expected, often occupied with racing thoughts, and false beliefs about self (American Psychological Association, 2009). The fact Frank dominates all the conversations in the movie, depicts how this condition was beyond his control. He appears to be practically involved in all the conversations and activities in the movie. This is best brought out when Frank thanked Richard for opening his eyes and making him realize that he was a loser. Frank was also quick at classifying himself as a loser upon loosing her boyfriend. This is a sign of false beliefs concerning his own personality. Borderline personality disorder. Another cause of suicidal behavior is borderline personality disorder (American Psychological Association, 2013). This is a condition involving mental health, in which an individual has long term turbulent or unstable patterns of emotions. The disorder results into inner experiences which lead to chaotic relationship and impulsive actions with other persons (American Psychological Association, 2009). In the context of this movie, depression caused Frank to start sniffing heroin. This is evidenced when Sheryl said that Frank had started to snort heroin. However, studies conducted in this field argue that the direct causes of borderline disorder are not yet known (Perlis, 2008). Family, social, and genetic factors have been reported to play an important role in the onset of the disease (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2010). The known risk factors for this disorder include abandonment during adolescence or in the childhood, a total disrupted family life, poor family communication, and physical, sexual, or emotional abuse (American Psychological Association, 2013). However, what is still unclear is identities of persons with this disorder. However, according to the American Psychological Association (2009), such persons may more often than not alter their values and interest in unprecedented times. Perlis, (2008) noted that such individuals tend to have an extreme view of things. This means that, in their view, something can either be all good or rather bad. By extension, these individuals view of other individuals becomes altered. Frank was a person who prior to the this incidence, was highly valued, however, following his change of behavior other characters view of him changed. Such sudden change of feelings may result in deep and unstable relations. Other symptoms of borderline personality disorder that were displayed by Frank includes a deep fear of abandonment (Perlis, 2008). He did not tolerate being left alone, and he experienced the feeling of boredom, and emptiness. In many cases, Frank displayed inappropriate anger, and impulsiveness. He tells his grandpa that he was going to bring some drinks an indication that he had resorted to drinking. Major Depression. Depression is another cause of suicidal behavior (American Psychological Association, 2009). This is a feeling of sadness, miserable, blue, or down. After being abandoned by his boyfriend Frank was totally depressed, sad, angry, frustrated, and lost. The condition affected his daily life activity for a longer period of time. The depression has been widely reported to be caused by some changes in the brain, which are triggered by certain stress related like it was the case with Frank. This explains why Frank resorted to drug and alcohol abuse. Studies conducted in this field have shown that drug use and alcohol could be the major cause of depression. Depression could alter or distort the self perception and the perception one holds of other people around him (American Psychological Association, 20013). According to this study, Persons who are depressed see everything from the negative point of view. They find it hard to imagine that their problem could may have a solution other than what they they is right. Frank was agitated, restless, withdrawn, felt hopeless, lost pleasure and interest, thought of side, and death, and had trouble in sleeping. Symptoms of suicidal behavior. The first symptom of suicidal behavior is a depressed mood. This as discussed above was widely evidenced in the entire movie. At some point, Frank tried to commit suicide, in an attempt to take away what he thought to be a threatening life situation. He sought relief from the feeling of shame, a victim, guilt, loss, rejection, and loneliness. The suicidal behavior that was displayed by Frank followed a romantic breakup, in which he had suffered rejection from his boyfriend, and his renown competitors, whom he recognized as the top person in the Proust field. This was despite his being an expert in Proust. Studies conducted in this field have shown that many attempts of suicide may not lead to death (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2010). In several cases of suicidal attempts, rescue efforts help salvage the situation. In cases where persons attempt suicide in a less fatal way, such as instances involving poisoning, this does not guarantee death. In worse cases such as those attempted by men where they resource for shooting themselves on the head, are the fatal one. This means that, many suicide attempts that result in death are particularly committed by male individuals (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2010). On the other hand, the relatives of the affected persons, may become angry, blame themselves, and see the act as being selfish. This is contrary to those individuals who commit suicide, as they mistakenly believe that their actions is a favor towards their relatives and friends. More often than not an individual could display behaviors or symptoms before the actual suicide attempt (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2010). For example, Frank had a reduced interest in all activities, in the entire movie as displayed by his trouble in thinking and concentrating clearly. For example, he talked about the need to get his affairs in order. He displayed some sudden changes in his behavior, such as being anxious, talkative, aggression, and the quest for alcohol. He lost interest in those activities that he used to enjoy. For example, he had sleepless nights as a result of his situation. He experienced a lot of problems in his Proust work, making his great competitors to be number one in the Proust field. Frank openly talked about committing suicide, and arranged the methods through which he was going to take his life. Reccommended treatment. Frank was not enrolled in any treatment plan. He believed that nothing could help his situation. He id not want to share his problems with anyone. He thought that seeking for help was an indication for weeks. For example, he called himself a loser when Richard asked about his situation. Frank did not Know where to seek help. In many cases, an individual who attempts to take suicide could need some emergency treatments after the attempt of suicide. He could refer CPR, some first aid, and intensive treatments. The persons who display suicidal behavior are required to stay in the hospital to reduce the chances of later attempts and for treatments (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2010). Therapy is a vital part of the treatment for the affected individuals. In this regard, all the mental health disorder that led to the suicide attempt by Frank should be treated and evaluates. This includes the bipolar disorder, major depression, alcohol, and drug problem, and the borderline personality disorder. Treatment for bipolar disorder. The goal of this treatment is to reduce the frequency of the mood episodes, help Frank to function well, and enjoy his life at work, and to prevent suicide, and self injury. Medicines are the basic part of treating this disorder (Perlis, 2008). Mood stabilizers will help frank in avoiding the swings of his mood. Use of medicine may improve the situation of Frank. In other cases, the mania symptoms may bring a good feeling, or side effects, making him to stop his medication (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2010). Stopping a medication could make the symptoms of the disorder to reoccur. Friends and family members could help Frank to take his medicine the right way. A regular visit to a psychiatrist so as to talk about the medications would be necessary. Other treatment of bipolar disorder includes the ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) (Perlis, 2008). Which may be used in treating the depressive phase or manic whenever it resists medication. Those patients who experience severe depressive and manic episodes are required to stay in the hospital until their mood becomes stable and behavior controlled. Talk therapy and support programs could be helpful in treating the individual with the disorder (Perlis, 2008). A good number of individuals with bipolar disorder fail to identify the occasions when they swing to a deep depression or more manic. A support group could help Frank recover quickly. Involving caregivers and family members in the treatment could help in minimizing the chances of symptoms occurring. Treatment for borderline personality disorder. Individualized talk therapies would treat borderline personality disorder successfully. Additionally, group therapy could be helpful. In this disorder, medications have little influence in treating BPD (Perlis, 2008). In other cases, medications could improve the swings of mood and treat depression, and other different disorders, which occur with this disorder. Treatment for major depression. The treatment for depression includes talk therapy, medicines, and the use of both (Perlis, 2008). Antidepressants, would help in treating depression. This medication brings the brain chemicals back to their normal levels. This would help in relieving the symptoms of Frank. If Frank had delusions, his health care would prescribe more medicines. Whenever an individual thinks about suicide, or become extremely depressed, and fail to go about his normal activities, he or she needs to be treated in the hospital. If the symptoms get worse with the treatment, the patient should always talk to his doctor regarding his feelings. In this case, his treatment plan could require some adjustments. The teens, children, and young adults need to be watched closely for suicidal behavior. This is so because many individuals may display suicidal behavior a few months after the start of their treatment. References. American Psychological Association (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (2nd printing of 6th Ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th Ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2010). Abnormal Psychology with DSM-V Update (5th Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Publishers. Perlis, R. (2008). The bipolar disorder. In: Rosenbaum, J., Stern TA, Fava, M., Et al., Eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. Philadelphia: Elsevier Mosby: chap 30. Read More