Depression triggers rage

In most cases, suicide is an isolated deed. But there are some instances where people, who are depressed and have suicidal tendencies, tend to take lives of their family members too. Rhythma Kaul reports.

In most cases, suicide is an isolated deed. But there are some instances where people, who are depressed and have suicidal tendencies, tend to take lives of their family members too.

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"It is a very old concept, and in psychiatry we call it 'extended suicide'. What happens is that the person is so depressed and disgusted with his life that he thinks of taking the extreme step and not just ending his own misery but of all those dependent on him," said Dr Nimesh G Desai, director, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS). Old parents and young children often fall victim to extended suicide.

"The method that has been used to commit the act in this particular case reflects that there was something definitely wrong with the woman's mental make-up," said Dr Desai.

Doctors say such persons tend to show signs of depression and anxiety, which the family members mostly overlook or do not take seriously.

"There is always a possibility that the person may have attempted suicide at least once in the past, which either the family is not aware of or does not take seriously," said a senior doctor from the department of psychiatry at AIIMS.

The trigger is usually the feeling of disgust or the sense of discontentment with his or her own life.

"These people usually ensure that the chances of survival are near zero. The choice of the means is also decided accordingly. In this particular case, the woman must have been going through in a really terrible mental state and should have been taken to a psychiatrist months ago," said the doctor.