Depression - A catalyst for murder, suicide

Depression - A catalyst for murder, suicide

Rampant gun violence in the United States is often attributed to mental illness. The general perception is that only a disturbed person can go on a killing spree. It remains the hottest topic for debate when there is a bloodbath in the country, such as the recent Las Vegas massacre. It is possible that someone who lives for a long time in a bad mood and is dissatisfied with their life will take the drastic step of killing someone or committing suicide.

A 2016 study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) suggests that murder or suicide perpetrators may suffer from depression. An older study examined the connection between the two and found that depression, not mania, was responsible for violent crimes such as murder. Whether it is an intentional attack or committed spontaneously, someone with a history of depressive symptoms may relapse into aggressiveness that is inconsistent with their personality. It only leads to regret later.

One such tragic incident that recently came to light involved William Scaccia Jr., who was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression after serving in Iraq in the 1990s. Scaccia was previously charged with domestic violence and assault and had unsuccessfully attempted to purchase a firearm. When he finally did, he shot his six-year-old son and himself. According to his wife, he was not in his right mind when he committed the heinous act.

PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common among military veterans. Many veterans returning from active duty find it extremely difficult to adjust to civilian life. For some, the horrors of war are difficult to forget and are haunted by its memories. The likelihood of depression and other such mental disorders is increased if there is a family history.

Regulating gun use among people diagnosed with depression

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. The most common form of depression is major depressive disorder, which affects 16.1 million American adults, or nearly 6.7 percent of the entire adult population, in a given year. Depression not only affects a person's overall health, but also their productivity at work, school, and home. It affects social and personal relationships and makes the individual worthless and hopeless.

However, a significant proportion of the population remains untreated. When certain risk factors such as substance abuse, traumatic past, disruptive environment at home, or bullying at school or work are combined, the likelihood that a person will commit a crime increases. Statistics suggest that more people with guns commit suicide than those who use them to kill others. This was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, which mentioned that gun suicides accounted for about six out of 10 gun deaths in 2010, killing 19,392 Americans.

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States, and men are likely to resort to firearms to end their lives. Although other means such as pill overdose, hanging, and poisoning are common, firearms are the most deadly. At the last moment there is no going back or thinking. If the trigger is pulled, the damage is irreparable. It is advisable to check a person's criminal and health history before granting a license to use firearms as it can have fatal consequences.

Depression can be treated with timely intervention

Not everyone who suffers from mental disorders harms others. They should not be seen as a threat to society. Putting them behind bars will not solve the underlying problem and their mental health will deteriorate. One way to prevent suicides and murders by such people is to raise awareness about mental health and make health services accessible to all. If the disease is treated in a timely manner, the affected person can lead a healthy life. Depression is treatable provided you take appropriate measures in a timely manner.

Inspired by Barbara Odozi