SHOCKING! Telangana woman commits suicide due to fear of ants, suicide note reads ‘I’m sorry, can’t live with…’

Telangana suicide: In a bizarre yet tragic incident, a 25-year-old woman, allegedly committed suicide at her home in Telangana’s Sangareddy district, purportedly because she was unable to overcome her fear of ants, which ultimately led her to commit the extreme act.

According to police, the woman suffered from myrmecophobia (fear of ants) since her childhood, and had previously received counselling at a local hospital in her native Mancherial town.

However, despite her efforts, she could not overcome her dread of ants, which ultimately led her to end her life on November 4 (Tuesday), when her husband was out for work. Police said that the woman had dropped off her three-year-old toddler daughter at relative’s house, and told them she would pick her up after cleaning their home.

But after returning home, while her husband was at work, the 25-year-old allegedly hung herself from a ceiling fan with a sari. “After returning home from work in the evening, her husband found the main door of the house locked from inside, and managed to force it open with help from neighbours, and found his wife hanging from the ceiling fan”, a senior officer said.

The deceased purportedly left behind a suicide note in which asked her husband for forgiveness, and expressed her fear, saying “I cannot live with these ants”.  “Sri, I am sorry, I cannot live with these ants. Take care of (daughter). Be careful. Annavaram, Tirupati Rs 1,116… don’t forget Yellamma vadi biyyam (rice offering),” the note read, according to the police.

The couple were married in 2022 and have a three-year-old daughter, they said, adding that “it appears she might have noticed ants while cleaning and, out of fear, took the extreme step”.

The body has been sent for post-mortem analysis and a case has been registered at Ameenpur police station, an officer said, adding that further investigation is underway.

What is Myrmecophobia?

A rare but extremely devastating phobia, Myrmecophobia is an intense, often crippling, irrational fear of ants. Those plagued by Myrmecophobia often experience crippling anxiety, panic attacks, trembling, or nausea whenever they see ants or even think about these creatures.

This debilitating fear of ants can lead to mental disorders and self-imposed seclusion, including avoiding outdoors, and in severe cases, upend the victim’s daily life, and even lead to suicidal tendencies.