Many opt for poisons to die without suffering pain

According to psychologists, those who intend to commit suicide opt for poisoning believing that it would give them a painless death.

“When a person drinks pesticide, it paralyses breathing and muscles. The terrible symptoms will be painful. If a person consumes strong pesticides he or she will not survive even for two hours,” said Dr K. Ashish Kumar, a general physician.

‘Painless death’ is the most searched topic on the Internet. “Broadly peaking there are two types of suicides: one is properly planned and the other is emotional,” said Dr Purnima Nagaraja, consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist.

She cited the example of a woman who planned to take her own life. The woman made a series of purchases of a prescription drug over a year and a half. She consumed them when her husband left on a business trip for two days, Dr Nagaraja said. Her husband's trip was cancelled and he returned home after six hours only to find his wife unconscious.

He rushed her to hospital.

“Stress, frustration and disillusionment weighs heavily on many individuals,” she said.

Suicides result from poor relationships, excessive expectations, the feeling of being unwanted, poor understanding of peers or failed romantic relationships.

Data shows there is an increase in the rate of suicides in the 15 to 29 age group over the past few years. A doctor said proper awareness and helpline services should be made available to people. Relatives or friends should keep a close watch on people who display telltale signs, he said.