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Re: It's my party and I'll die if I want to.

Posted by pullmarine on October 9, 2000, at 4:04:38

In reply to Re: It's my party and I'll die if I want to. , posted by SLS on October 8, 2000, at 13:38:02

> The biggest problem with allowing a depressed individual to rationally decide to end their own life is that they are most often not rational.

1. Rational? according to what or whose standards?

Their judgment is impaired and skewed by the warping of congnition and perception that is the manifestation of the depression itself.

2. Depressed persons have a much better sense and grasp of reality, ask your doc about this and other findings.

Their thought processes are inextricably contained within the confines of a depressed mood, influencing the individual's decision-making processes to draw conclusions that they might not draw in the absence of depression.

3. drawing conclusions from an accurate sense of reality. with thinking that is rational, and well thought out.

4. Suicidality is often fleeting. Suicide is not.
There is something to be said for permanence.

John

> - Scott
>
> > Folks, IMHO, suicide is a viable option. I can't think of anything that is more of an inalienable right than the right to live or die. I went through a severe clinical depression for three and a half years, got the so-called "best" medical and psychiatric advice, including the head of psychiatry at a leading medical university, went on enough meds to fill a pharmacy, went through 11 docs... Other than doc appts., I was a lump on the couch. If my husband hadn't fixed meals and brought them to me, I wouldn't have eaten. For me, depression was like a frozen river. All anyone on the outside sees is ice... but, on the inside, as the ice gets thicker, the pressure from the water continues sto increase and increase unbearably. That depression ended with Zoloft and an amazing psychologist - one full year of both to break free and be healthy again. However, during the depression, had I known that it would never end, I would've committed suicide. The depression was horribly costly in every way; our business plummeted, finances were a disaster, bankruptcy, I threw my husband out (after being separated for a year, we've reconciled and the last six years have been great), and we're still rebuilding our business and financial lives. However, during the depression, I discussed suicide with my husband and explained my position. Undoubtedly, had he "caught" me in the act, he would've intervened and I would've found myself locked up in a psych ward. I told him my decision, not as a threat or call for help, but to let him know that he would not be responsible if I did commit suicide. My brother-in-law committed suicide and I know, first hand, the horrors of suicide on other people, especially the sense of "could I have stopped it?" and that's why I spoke very seriously with my husband. The depression brought an element of unrelenting horror into my life, not anyone's fault, just something that happened, but if it was permanent, I was out of here. I'm on the healing side of my second depressive episode (two months) and the same remedy worked this time, Zoloft and the amazing psychologist. As sad as it is when someone commits suicide, ultimately, it is still that person's choice. As a society, we tend to say if a person has a fatal disease with X number of months to live and is in unrelenting pain, suicide may be understandable. Yet, what is different if a person has depression with YEARS to live? I know for me, I found a solution that works with Zoloft and psychotherapy. Others may not be so lucky, but I do think they have an obligation to make their feelings known to help their survivors understand (as best as possible) that it was a choice the person has made, and that the survivors aren't responsible. Candidly, I also used the thought of suicide as a means of hope . . . "if I can't conquer this, I can end my life" .. . and it was reassuring.

AMEN,
JOHN


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