Bipolar Disorder Self-Injury & Suicide
Bipolar Disorder & Self Injury :
Bipolar disorder is a cyclic disease which results in elevated episodes of mania and hypomania in the diseased, and is characterized by frequent mood swings leading to depression. All the episodes reoccur after periods of time, like from 4 to 6 months.
The symptoms of this chronic disease are characterized by fatigue, lethargy, irritation, anxiety, lack of appetite, disturbed sleep, changes in sleeping patterns causing lesser sleep, suicidal feelings, and elevated energy levels.
Bipolar disorder can be genetic. People suffering from it go through phases of ups and downs in their moods. Hence they may feel too energetic or too lethargic or both one after another at a time. They suffer from isolation and silent humiliation at the same time.
When these people enter the maniac depression stage, they may have suicidal thoughts and hence think of causing injury to themselves. The main cause of such thoughts being feelings of worthlessness and uselessness, are a feature of Bipolar Disorders. At such stage they feel angry and hurt. This causes them to start self injury in the form of cutting, burning, etc. This can also lead to suicidal tendencies, which needs to be curbed at the outset.
Self Injury, also known as self abuse or mutilation is an act of hurting oneself purposefully and consciously. These are not generally suicidal injuries, but in some cases may lead to death. Burning, cutting, hitting yourself with a sharp object are some of the acts of self injury.
It is still not known whether acts of self injury is a symptom of Bipolar disorder or a diagnosis in its own.
The characteristics of self injurers are as follows:
1) They try to harm themselves again and again. That is, the act of self injury is recurrent.
2) The self mutilator goes through stages of fear, anxiety, tension and dread before committing the act of self injury.
3) The act is followed by a sense of relief.
4) It is then followed by a sense of shame.
5) The injurer tries to hide any marks or evidence of his act, like scars and marks.
As the patients mania or disorder advances, he starts making plans for big acts of self injury like suicidal attempts. This may include making up financial plans, family plans, etc. This stage, when self injury attempts advances to suicide attempts, should not be taken lightly.
Bipolar disorder and self injury shows the way of thinking of the patient. He feels that he Is worthless and the world would be a better place without him. He might attempt to commit suicide, and if any such behaviour is exhibited, the patient should be rushed to a doctor, and corrective action should be taken.
This is when he starts making all those suicide attempts and all. In this period, he should be taken care of very carefully, and should be given proper medications and antidepressants. He should not be left alone during such times, and should be accompanied by a close relative if his, or by a nurse or some attendant at all times of the day and night. He/she should not be given any opportunity to harm himself/herself.