Hyderabad medical student dies by suicide: Concerns raised over underlying psychiatric symptoms

Hyderabad: A 21-year-old MBBS student died by suicide at his home in Hyderabad on Sunday. The student, Dixit Reddy, was a resident of Papireddy Nagar and was studying second-year MBBS at Gandhi Medical College.

According to Jagadgirigutta inspector K Kranthi Kumar, Dixit was suffering from depression for the past four years. “He had been undergoing medication for his mental health issues, but he stopped taking his medication two months ago claiming that is he doing fine.”

“On Sunday, when Reddy’s family members were not at home, he closed the door to his room and cut his private organ before taking his own life. His body was found by his family members when they returned home.”

According to his parents, Dixit was a calm individual. In the last two months, he stopped taking medication for mental health issues. The police have registered a case. Speaking to NewsMeter, Kranthi Kumar said that the case is still under investigation. They are yet to ascertain the reasons for Reddy’s death.

What does the doctor say?

According to Dr Charan Teja Koganti, MBBS, MD, who is a consultant neuropsychiatrist at KIMS Hospitals and an associate professor at VRKMC, Hyderabad, said, “Depression is a complex mental health condition that can have various underlying causes. One possible reason for clinical depression is a decrease in serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that plays a vital role in regulating mood, energy levels, interest in daily activities, sleep, hunger, sexual drive, concentration, attention, and immediate memory recall. When serotonin levels are low, these functions are disrupted, leading to low mood, decreased energy, lack of motivation, difficulty focusing, poor memory, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, weight loss, and reduced sexual drive. The individual may feel distressed and purposeless in their daily life.”

Dr Charan said there are different factors that can contribute to depression. “It can be due to biological factors such as a family history of clinical depression, hypothyroidism in young women, vitamin D deficiency, anaemia, or other medical conditions. Life stressors can also trigger depression, such as heartbreak, academic failures, major financial loss, parental separation, or extreme stress related to medical graduation.”

Hallucinations or delusions

In the case mentioned, where a person contemplates self-harm by cutting his private organ, it is a highly unusual and distressing method of suicide, said Dr Charan. Normally, individuals with medical knowledge, like medical students, would have an awareness of less painful and more lethal methods. This particular case raises concerns about underlying psychosis or severe psychiatric symptoms that might be present, such as hallucinations or delusions commanding self-harm.

It is important to note that there can be multiple reasons for someone’s depression, and it is challenging to pinpoint a single cause. “Factors such as sexuality issues, gender identity struggles, or other personal conflicts can contribute to a person’s distress. Unfortunately, individuals experiencing these issues may face difficulties in seeking help due to societal disapproval or lack of support from their families,” said the doctor.

Reasons for stopping medication

“One potential reason for stopping the medication abruptly could be the patient’s realisation of potential side effects after studying pharmacology in their second year of medical school. However, it is crucial to understand that reported side effects are based on case reports, and not everyone will experience them. Discontinuing medication without proper guidance can worsen the symptoms of depression,” said Dr Charan.

The doctor also said that misinformation and misguided advice can also lead individuals to stop taking prescribed medication. He said, “Well-intentioned counsellors, friends, or life coaches might discourage medication use, suggesting alternative treatments like counselling alone. However, for severe depression, medication can be crucial, especially when accompanied by cycles of psychosis or other severe psychiatric symptoms.”

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