Posted by ElaineM on January 21, 2007, at 18:09:46
In reply to Re: helping, posted by Dr. Bob on January 21, 2007, at 16:23:05
>>>>>I think you all are capable of sparking a discussion yourselves. :-) I just wanted to shift the focus.
Fair enough. I just wanted you to clarify why you chose to judge the tone of the posts as angry. But if you want to change the subject, i guess I'll have to be okay with that.
>>>>So are you saying that if you were talking to a friend about overdosing, the only response you'd find helpful would be if they suggested that you call a professional?
If i couldn't take the chosen method of self-harm (especially pills, which people can never be sure how each individual body will react to -- especially if I couldn't ensure dosing mistakes weren't made, especially if I wouldn't be there to monitor someone's health/coherance afterwards...to name a few) away from someone, then I would always tell them to call a professional. I don't make light of the harm that overdose can do.
But back to the scenario, if I was talking to my friend in an extremely emotionally distressed way, had the potential means to enact my plan, was expressing a sense of hopelessness, then Yes I would.
Overdose and suicide are very tragic things. Since we're talking about me, I'd hope my friend would call someone if my distress was escalating, or I was sounding more chaotic or emotionally unstable -- particularily cause I've never said anything like that before to anyone. So if I ever reached the point of suicide or potentially damaging drug doses, and chose to tell someone, YES I'd think that would merit immediate reaction.Is it the idea of overdose that you view lightly? Would it make a difference if the potential method of harm was a gun? I'm truly not understanding where you're coming from. I'd think you'd understand how serious suicide and overdosing are. It's different than just being sad.
I don't see how anyone could say that a friend *shouldn't* always say that someone so distressed they're thinking of harming themself should call their T or pdoc. Though I suppose we'll never meet on this issue.
thanks, El
poster:ElaineM
thread:723690
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20070112/msgs/724927.html