Posted by coral on October 8, 2000, at 8:10:44
In reply to Re: It's my party and I'll die if I want to. , posted by jackflash2 on October 8, 2000, at 1:57:06
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.
poster:coral
thread:42903
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000926/msgs/45947.html