If you are contemplating suicide please read this first...

Suicides are increasing and it makes me feel so heartbroken and helpless reading and hearing about it. Before you take that last fateful and irrevocable step please read this first. I lost my son to suicide a few years ago and it drowned me in the most desolate depair.  Many people suffer from depression, or they are just hurting so bad because of things that destroyed their lives, and never talk about it.

My son was very quiet for the last month of his life but I never presumed there was anything wrong with him. To see him lying dead under the tree was the biggest shock of my life. It left me insane with pain for years afterwards. When you consider suicide you don’t realise the destruction it is going to leave behind and your loved ones who will have to try and pick up the broken pieces that will never fit again. I am sure if he knew how his act was going to break me he would never have done it.

There are people in your life who loves you and their lives are going to be destroyed beyond repair if you take your own life. Don’t sit alone with your hurting heart and dream about suicide. It is not the answer to your problems. Go and talk to someone about your turmoil and suffering. There are organisations who are open 24 hours to be there for you and give you advice and help you through your struggles. Please I implore you, don’t take that step that will plunge your loved in utter despair.

Don’t worry about what people may say if you are depressed, you are not insane it is an illness, they don’t count when you are in need of serious help. Something that looks like the end of the road for you today, will look like nothing at all in a day or month’s time. If you feel suicide will be the only solution, first talk to someone about it. Talk to your family or a therapist, pastor, psychologist or other professional people who are equipped to handle this, but please think carefully before you do something that can never be taken back or repaired.  I hope this will give you food for thought, your life is worth more than you think.

"Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."

Blessed Be and Namaste!

Understanding bipolar disorder.

There are not many people who really understand the term bipolar disorder so hopefully this will clarify it for you. Bipolar is a chemical imbalance in the brain and causes very excessive mood swings. There are manic stages of very high and depressed stages of very low. During the manic episodes people who suffer from this feel an extremely euphoric feeling of being almost invincible. They also feel increased energy levels and don’t need much sleep.

Part of the manic feeling also includes feeling of irritation, restlessness and unable to concentrate on something for too long. Some of the symptoms are that they also feel disoriented from reality and suffer delusional thoughts. Judgement becomes impaired and that can lead to reckless driving, spending sprees and increased sexual activity. Some even report feelings of grandiose delusions where the patients think they have special connections to god or celebrity figures.

Racing thoughts, hyperactivity, paranoia, rapid emotional changes, anger and racing thoughts are said to be experienced. None of these emotions feel in any way abnormal to someone who suffers from bipolar and is on a manic high. Many sufferers prefer this to the depressive and absolute despair they experience in contradiction to the high.

Depressive episodes for the bipolar sufferer are the worst part of the disorder. During this stage they have a feeling of utter hopelessness, uselessness and excessive guilt about their lives. They suffer from a loss of self-esteem and interest in work or hobbies and have suicidal thoughts continuously. They have a lack of concentration and energy and intense feelings of sadness and can’t feel any pleasure about anything.

Bipolar disorder is a treatable illness but the combination of medication can take a while of trial and error before the right combination is found so that the patient can lead a relative normal life. They have to monitor their emotions and medication constantly and with the help of a psychiatrist it can be kept to a level where they can function. Contrary to belief this is not the person’s fault and it also doesn't mean they have an unstable personality.  They suffer from abnormal mood swings that can’t be controlled by the person themselves.

These people suffer not only the disorder but the havoc it wrecks in their private and professional lives. There is no cure for bipolar disorder but with medication, education, support and psychological therapy they can survive and lead a fulfilling life.

Blessed Be and Namaste!!