Владислав Педдер – The Experience of the Tragic (страница 12)

The state of depersonalization gradually faded, but it left a profound imprint. I realized that what I had called the “self” was not a unified entity, but a mere intersection of perceptions, memories, and fleeting impressions. This illusion of unity is a cunning product of evolution – not truth, but a convenient mask.

Becker’s models of “heroism” lost their power. The individual trying to cheat death now seemed to me not so much tragic as naive. All of Becker’s models of heroism had become irrelevant to me – except one, and even that was not directly related to death: the search for meaning in life and in the world at large.

The existential question of the meaning of being, despite the disappearance of the fear of death, did not vanish. It continued to torment me just as much as thoughts of finitude had before. All of this led me to understand that the fear of death cannot be the sole driver of human activity. In creating culture, systems of meaning, and value structures, human beings attempt to overcome not only the fear of death but many other existential challenges. Humans do not always seek heroism. Sometimes, they are motivated by entirely different factors – joy in the process itself or simple curiosity.

Becker’s “projects of immortality” can be viewed as unfalsifiable ideas, and this constitutes one of the central problems with his notion of heroism.

Like theological arguments for the existence of God or otherworldly forces, heroism projects are based on subjective belief and collective agreement. The problem is that neither heroism nor theological concepts can be confirmed or disproven using scientific methods. This makes them conceptually similar: both operate within the boundaries of human psychology and existential experience, but not within the domain of empirical science.

2.2 Devaluing Death, or The Problem of Suicide

The awareness of life’s finitude can give rise to various perceptual and behavioral anomalies. One such example is the belief held by some individuals that, since death is inevitable, life is therefore devoid of meaning, and that one may as well end one’s existence consciously rather than wait for a natural death. I maintain that such thoughts in themselves do not necessarily lead to action. While from both biological and philosophical perspectives it makes no essential difference whether one dies now or many years later – particularly in the absence of close relatives or children – what remains with us is the inner experience, which may be perceived as akin to observing a film or theatrical performance. We do not typically stop watching a film simply because we know it will eventually end. Nevertheless, as will be demonstrated below, the mere thought of suicide is insufficient for its implementation.

Suicide is an extraordinarily complex phenomenon, the emergence of which is conditioned by numerous factors. One key aspect is the biological mechanism involving inhibitory neurons that accumulate prediction errors and may lead to the conclusion that the future is invariably associated with inevitable suffering and lacks positive outcomes. Among the hypotheses under investigation is the assumption that certain individuals possess a genetic predisposition to suicidal behavior, which may be activated under specific circumstances. This means that the presence of certain genes or brain impairments can substantially increase the likelihood of suicide, even in the absence of overt pessimism or significant life difficulties.

It is important to stress that this hypothesis has not yet been definitively proven and remains the subject of ongoing research. Genetic predisposition is a significant, but by no means the sole, risk factor. Its influence is always interwoven with other psychological, social, and environmental conditions, forming a complex network of causes that lead to suicidal behavior.

In what follows, I shall treat suicide as a process that is genetically and deterministically conditioned. However, this is not to suggest that the genetic component constitutes an exhaustive account of the problem of suicide. The subject demands a more thorough and multidimensional analysis that includes a wide range of contributing factors, which lie beyond the scope of the present work.

Genetic Predisposition

In recent decades, scientific research has shown that genetics plays a significant role in susceptibility to depression and suicidal behavior. One of the key genes associated with suicide is the gene that encodes serotonin – a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and behavior. For example, the 5-HTTLPR gene, which is responsible for serotonin transport, has been linked to an increased risk of depression and suicidal tendencies. Individuals with a particular variant of this gene exhibit lower levels of serotonin, which may contribute to the development of depressive disorders and ultimately increase the risk of suicide.

Another important gene is MAOA (monoamine oxidase A). This gene also affects the levels of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. Low MAOA activity is associated with a greater propensity toward aggression, impulsivity, and depression – all of which may contribute to suicidal tendencies. Such studies underscore that the presence of certain genetic variants may play a key role in a person’s decision to commit suicide under conditions of stress or crisis.

Brain Injury

In addition to genetic predisposition, brain injuries may also contribute to elevated suicide risk. Damage to specific areas of the brain – such as the prefrontal cortex and limbic system – can significantly alter emotional behavior and an individual’s capacity for self-regulation. For instance, individuals who have sustained traumatic brain injuries or strokes may experience changes in their self-perception and worldview, which increases the likelihood of depression and suicidal thoughts. Brain injuries may also affect serotonin levels and other neurotransmitters, promoting the development of depressive states and disturbances of emotional balance.

The Role of Medications

Medications that may increase suicidal tendencies play a crucial role in exploring the connections between biology, psyche, and behavior. Some drugs, despite their therapeutic properties, can produce serious side effects, including depression and suicidal ideation – especially among individuals with certain predispositions or psycho-emotional disorders.

One of the most well-known categories of drugs that heighten suicide risk is antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft), although widely used to treat depression, may in some cases exacerbate suicidal thoughts, particularly among adolescents and young adults during the initial stages of treatment. In 2004, the FDA issued a warning that antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal ideation among youth. However, it is important to note that for some patients, antidepressants are effective, and the increased risk of suicidal ideation is more often linked to individual reactions to the drugs, initial instability of the condition, or insufficient medical supervision in the early weeks of therapy.

Another group of medications associated with increased risk of suicide is anticonvulsants, such as lamotrigine and valproate, used to treat epilepsy and psychiatric disorders. Studies have shown that these agents may increase suicidal tendencies, especially with long-term use. In 2008, the FDA added a warning about this risk to the packaging of medications such as lamotrigine, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring of patients’ psycho-emotional states.

Opioids – potent painkillers such as oxycodone and morphine – are also linked to elevated suicide risk. These substances alter the brain’s chemical balance, promoting depression and deteriorating emotional well-being, which may lead to suicidal tendencies, especially in cases of abuse or prolonged use.

In addition, psychotropic medications such as antipsychotics and benzodiazepines may also induce depression and suicidal ideation, particularly among individuals prone to psycho-emotional disorders. Certain antipsychotics, such as risperidone and quetiapine, may produce side effects that worsen mood and even provoke aggression. Benzodiazepines, including diazepam and Xanax, are often prescribed to reduce anxiety, but their prolonged use may also lead to depression and an increased risk of suicide.

No less dangerous is isotretinoin – a drug used to treat acne, widely known under the brand name Accutane. It has been reported to cause depression and suicidal ideation, as documented in numerous studies and FDA-issued warnings. Isotretinoin has been associated with psychiatric side effects, including depression and aggression, making it particularly risky when used during adolescence.

while many of these medications have important therapeutic properties, it is crucial to remain aware of their potential side effects, which may thus significantly increase the risk of suicidal tendencies. Careful monitoring of patients taking these drugs is essential to detect any changes in their psycho-emotional state and to prevent more serious outcomes.