REPRESSION: Cause of suicide

Very briefly on the subject of depression and suicide, Psychiatrist Dr. Theodore Isaac Rubin writes in his book “Compassion and Self-Hate” that depression is caused by repression, which leads to depression, neuroses, and all too often to suicide.

Repression is defined as suppressing a feeling, thought, or desire in oneself so that it remains in the unconscious. Living a life of repression is in itself a suicide, because you are living someone else’s life, not your own authentic life. It is a life you want to destroy, and in desperation commit suicide.

In the 14th century, Francis Bacon made this apt observation: “What you bring forth from within you will save you; (living your authentic life). What you do not bring forth will destroy you,” an accurate description of repression, depression and suicide.

While this observation may sound simplistic to some, some serious attention should be given to it.

IRENE CURRAN

Coeur d’Alene