We have heard of "Winter Blues", formally known us Seasonal Affective Disorder linked to the melancholia and sadness associated with winter season. But not many people would have linked the occurrence of these Blues with Scorching Summers. Not just blues but these summers bring with them an increase in the frequency of Suicides.

Well that was a pretty en-lighting fact!!!

Suicide (Latin suicidium, from sui caedere, "to kill oneself") is the term used for the deliberate self-destruction of a human being, by causing their body to cease life function. Putting in simple words, it is the voluntary and deliberate ending of one's own life. Over one million people commit suicide every year, making it the tenth-leading cause of death worldwide. Suicides have been linked to many factors ranging from age, sex, ethnicity to occupation; but not many people know of its association with season, more specifically Summer season.

Researches have found that suicide rates go up during hot weather. Karin Sparring Björkstén from the Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, led a team of researchers who studied the seasonal variation of suicides in all of Greenland from 1968-2002. They found that there was a concentration of suicides in the summer months, and that this seasonal effect was especially pronounced in the north of the country - an area where the sun doesn't set between the end of April and the end of August. "The rate in the rise of violent suicides was even higher, at 5% per degree rise in temperature.

The authors speculated that light-generated imbalances in turnover of the neurotransmitter serotonin may lead to increased impulsiveness that, in combination with lack of sleep may explain the increased suicide rates in the summer. Researcher Dr Lisa Page associated this rise to the unusual high degree of irritability, aggression and impulsivity related with high temperature.

"People living at high latitudes need extreme flexibility in light adaptation," noted the researchers. "During the long periods of constant light, it is crucial to keep some circadian rhythm to get enough sleep and sustain mental health. A weak serotonin system may cause difficulties in adaptation."

This research is in line with the earlier studies on the subject. In the late 1880s, Durkheim (1970) found that the incidence of suicide was at its highest during spring or early summer and at its lowest during winter. This finding has been confirmed in numerous subsequent studies both from Northern (see for example, Kevan 1980, Massing & Angermeyer 1985, Chew & McCleary 1995, Altamura et al. 1999) and Southern Hemisphere countries (see, for example, Parker & Walter 1982, Flisher et al. 1997).

Durkheim (1970) explained that the seasonal patterns of suicides were due to seasonal changes in social behaviour, and, thus, were only artefacts of meteorological factors, like the duration of daylight. Later biometeorological theories emphasised changes in the general dynamics of the atmosphere or the variations of sunlight (Kevan 1980). In the 1930s, Mills considered that especially a falling barometric pressure (usually associated with storms) was an important factor in human mental instability (Kevan 1980, Dixon & Shulman 1987).

A study conducted by Zahida Doganay et, al from Ondokuz Mayis University, School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey in 1,119 suicide attempts collected from hospital records between 1996 and 2001 showed a clear seasonal variation in suicide attempts in the 15-24, 25-34, and over 65 age groups in men and in the 15-24, 25-34, and 35-44 age groups in women with peaks in the spring and summer. Suicide attempts were more frequent between the hours of 6:00-9:00 pm in males and 3:00-6:00 pm in females. It was also found that people with depression, anxiety, or a psychotic disorder usually attempted suicide in the summer.

Other than duration of sunlight, fall of air pressure, weak serotonin turnover many other factors also contribute to this summer surge of suicides, like in the Indian scenario summer season coincides with exam and results declaration; this also accounts for the significant increase in the suicide rates particularly among youngsters. Suicide help-lines, counseling centers, hospitals and mental health clinics fall short in their efforts to attend to all these distress calls.

Not just suicide, but increase in cases of depression too has been found to be associated with summer season. Suicide is considered a possible complication of depressive illness in combination with other risk factors because suicidal thoughts and behavior can be symptoms of moderate to severe depression.

Identifying Severe Depression

In psychotherapeutic literature, the trio of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness is what defines the depressive triangle, with the deadliest of emotions being hopelessness. The trio corresponds to negative thoughts and feelings about the self [ worthlessness], world [ helplessness] and future [ hopelessness] and these three are considered to be the cognitive markers of severe depression.

A person can be depressed and suicidal and be completely unaware of it. However there are some tell-tale signs by which family members/ colleagues/ friends can often sense that something is wrong. These include:

• Talking about death or Has verbally expressed hating life
• Negative outlook about life in general
• Severe depressive symptoms: persistent sadness, crying spells, loss of pleasure in activities
• Refusing to eat, Sleeps a lot or Can't sleep
• Not taking care of self
• Not interacting with others
• Feeling helpless about one's problems; feeling despair and agony about one's life
• Feeling hopeless; being extremely pessimistic; saying "Nothing will work" or "Things will never improve" or "The future looks bleak and dark without any ray of hope".

Suicide prevention is a complex process, which cannot be done by a professional alone; family, friends and significant others too play an important role in helping those who see themselves between the devil and the deep blue sea.

It is not true that if a person talks about suicide, they will not attempt it. Seriously suicidal people make such comments for a variety of reasons - it is extremely important to take these remarks seriously and help that person seek a mental health evaluation and treatment. A person in crisis may not be aware that they are in need of help or be able to seek it on their own. They may also need to be reminded that effective treatment for depression is available, and that many people can very quickly begin to experience relief from depressive symptoms.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention is a complex process, which cannot be done by a professional alone; family, friends and relatives too play an important role in helping the affected. A person in crisis may not be aware that they are in need of help or be able to seek it on their own. They may also need to be reminded that effective treatment for depression is available, and that many people can very quickly begin to experience relief from depressive symptoms.

Studies have shown that the suicide prevention programs most likely to succeed are those with a broader focus on identification and treatment of mental illness and substance abuse, coping with stress, and controlling aggressive behaviors.

Marginal deficiencies in folic acid, B12 and other nutrients are common causes of depression, as are the thousands of chemicals, pollutants, heavy metals and drugs that are toxic to the nervous system if taken for many years.
Many of the herbs such as St. Johns Wart are safe and effective, but may not be as strong as needed to change the chemical imbalance present.

Changing the individual approach/ Self help:

As we know stress is a natural part of life but when one allows this to grow to distress incapacitating one's happiness that disease appears. Sometimes people know that they are falling in this vicious cycle of disappointment - sadness - underperformance - sadness, but they do not know the way out. Such people just need a helping hand to accept life and situations. Simple measure to add a bit of zest to their life such as: Do what you have always wanted to do, take a break, eat I cream, chocolate, pizza, go for a movie, work puzzles, sleep a lot; (and if you are an adult have sex even if you don't feel like it) - and most importantly talk to people, communicate your feelings- it will help you feel better.

Homoeopathy as an aid to Depression and Suicidal insanity especially Summer Sadness:

Homeopathy treats not only the body but mind too or rather it treats the man as a whole and not just his disease. In cases of depression be it of summer or winter Homeopathic remedy helps us not only to alleviate our mood but also helps us to cope with the situations easily.

The most obvious question which arises is why some and not all are equally disturbed by the adverse situations? The answer is that each one of us is different individual with different constitution and temperament as such our response to situation is always different. It is this individuality which helps the homeopath to tailor a remedy exactly according to your needs. That is the reason out of thousands of homeopathic remedies he chooses the one which suits you best.

Some remedies found effective in such cases include:

Gelsemium :

Natrum carbonicum: Individuals who need this remedy are usually mild, gentle, and selfless-making an effort to be cheerful and helpful, and avoiding conflict whenever possible. After being hurt or disappointed, they can become depressed, but keep their feelings to themselves. Even when feeling lonely, they withdraw to rest or listen to sad music, which can isolate them even more. Nervous and physically sensitive (to sun, to weather changes, and to many foods, especially milk), they may also get depressed when feeling weak or ill.

Natrum muriaticum: People who need this remedy seem reserved, responsible, and private-yet have strong inner feelings (grief, romantic attachment, anger, or fear of misfortune) that they rarely show. They dwell on past trauma and self-blame.
Even though they want other people to feel for them, they can act affronted or angry if someone tries to console them, and need to be alone to cry. Anxiety, brooding about past grievances, migraines, back pain, and insomnia can also be experienced when the person is depressed. A craving for salt and tiredness from sun exposure are other indications for this remedy.

Ignatia is the most well-known for acute loss of any kind, especially with silent grief, self-reproach, shame, anger turned inward and suicidal thoughts.

Aurum met: These are overly responsible, ambitious, workaholic people. They struggle with the loss of money, respect, love, power and they feel life has lost its value. They are hopeless with despair and can have fits of anger with possible suicidal thoughts.

Phosphoric acid: can be helpful for those that are apathetic and indifferent with a resignation about their lives. They struggle to gather their thoughts and may appear listless and weak. They have an overwhelmed feeling due to work, study, grief or a broken heart.

Pulsatilla : is indicated for those sweet, mild-mannered individuals that struggle to refuse others. They have a desire to give and receive love. The causes of their grief may be due to loss, jealousy, anticipation, disappointment or they may feel forsaken. Emotionally, they weep easily and are moody. They have much guilt or shame with rigid ideals.

Sepia : Such people are overwhelmed, tired and feel indifferent to loved ones. They can become emotionally closed or cold. They desire solitude and silence, but they like someone available nearby. Their emotions are sad, with weeping and have a desire to runaway. They can be very sarcastic and critical with hormonal imbalances.