The most primitive instinct of all living things is survival. Our subconscious mind prioritizes our lives; everything else is secondary. Sometimes, even reflexes kick in and try to protect us from dangers beyond our control. Anxiety is actually a mental disorder that causes unnecessary worry when the alarm center in our brain (the amygdala), which is designed to keep us alive, malfunctions (Bateson et al., 2011). So, how is it that some people, striving to survive with all their might, resort to suicide and sometimes even succeed?
Suicidal behavior is evaluated in two dimensions: suicide attempts and suicide. In other words, not all people who attempt suicide commit suicide. Many studies have shown that only 3%–13% of those who attempt suicide actually do so (Pandey, 2013). The purposes of suicidal behavior may differ among certain types of individuals in this context. For example, the form and purpose of suicide patterns may differ in illness groups such as borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder, which are associated with a risk of suicidal ideation.
Suicide attempts in bipolar disorder (especially during depressive episodes) are often associated with a stronger intention to die or end one’s life; that is, the attempts may be more planned and have a higher degree of lethal intent (Yaqoob, 2023). Because the purpose of suicide attempts in bipolar individuals is to escape that numbing feeling of hopelessness. However, in borderline personality disorder, attempts tend to be more related to functional motivations such as emotional regulation, relieving chronic internal distress, or “feeling alive” (i.e., seeking short-term relief or a feeling of being alive rather than the intention to survive) (Mojahed et al., 2018).
Therefore, the individual’s reason for wanting to commit suicide is crucial. While suicide is a preferred method for ending suffering in one group, it is a method employed in another to feel alive. Regarding the initial question—how can a person attain the mental infrastructure to commit suicide—the answer lies in the fact that these individuals believe there is no way to escape the chronic pain they feel, and the idea of ending it with death rather than enduring this pain forever paves the way for suicide.
Of course, often simply experiencing pain or feeling hopeless is not sufficient for this attempt. This requires both a psychological and biological basis. In addition to mental illness, genetic and neurobiological risk factors also play a significant role in suicide (Pandey, 2013). Serotonin is one of the most important chemicals that balances our mood. Research shows that people who have committed or attempted suicide have low serotonin levels, meaning the brain’s “happiness transmission” system is not functioning properly (Pandey, 2013).
Our brain constantly renews itself with new experiences. A substance called BDNF facilitates this renewal. However, this substance decreases in people experiencing depression or severe stress, which can weaken a person’s sense of hope and resilience (Pandey, 2013). In other words, suicidal behavior is not only emotional, but also one in which our brain chemistry plays an active role.
Ambiguous Emotions In Suicide Notes
Some suicide notes attempt to understand individuals’ emotional states by examining the themes and words they mention. A psychoanalytic approach has revealed that individuals may have experienced conflicting emotions, such as love and hate, simultaneously (Canpolat & Gençoz, 2023). In other words, emotional ambivalence has been observed.
Freud defined ambivalence as a term that combines love and hostility toward an object in situations of loss following an intense love bond (Freud, 1913/2004). People in these situations experience complex and opposing emotions simultaneously, embodying psychological complexity in many ways.
Conclusion
In conclusion, suicide can have many different causes. People can sometimes reach this psychological and biological basis. If we recognize such situations, it is vital to refer them to therapy or report the situation to the appropriate authorities.
References
Bateson, M., Brilot, B., & Nettle, D. (2011). Anxiety: An evolutionary approach.
Canpolat, F., & Gençoz, F. (2023). Surface and latent meanings in males’ suicide notes. OMEGA—Journal of Death and Dying.
Freud, S. (2004). Totem and taboo (N. Smart, Trans.). Routledge. (Original work published 1913)
Mojahed, A., Rajabi, M., Khanjani, S., & Basharpoor, S. (2018). Prediction of self-injury behavior in men with borderline personality disorder based on their symptoms of borderline personality and alexithymia. International Journal of High Risk Behaviors & Addiction, 7(3), e67693. https://doi.org/10.5812/ijhrba.67693
Pandey, G. N. (2013). Biological basis of suicide and suicidal behavior. Bipolar Disorders, 15(5), 524–541.
Yaqoob, N. (2023). Impact of mood disorders and personality disorders on suicide: Results from the PJMS study. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.pjms.org.pk/index.php/pjms/article/view/6140/1646