Posted by fca on August 12, 2006, at 18:01:16
In reply to How do you know when you're really going to do it?, posted by RN320 on August 12, 2006, at 11:17:14
I was the Exec. Dir. of a comprehensive emergency psychiatric facility (about 500-600 patients per month) many of whom were suicidal. I don't think any of our staff really understood what triggered that final choice--duration/acuity of depression. loss, supports, means, cognitive disorganization, level of anxiety, age, gender, blah, blah, blah. But what would finally take it to the edge--who knows? What I did not see mentioned is the role of substance abuse--drugs/alcohol play an extremely significant role in lowering inhibitions and increasing the probability of a successful or unsuccessful suicide attempt. Obviously we did not evaluate those who were successful though we probably knew them from past attempts or psychiatric crises. I tend to be most concerned when I see the following--bipolar, substance abuse, older, terminal illness, dramatic loss (real or perceived), prolonged anxiety (helplessness), just emerging from a serious depression. I have tried to answer your question forthrightly.
I hope you chose to live. Your message does raise personal and professional concerns. I hope you will commit to finding some relief other than through suicide. fca
poster:fca
thread:675823
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060810/msgs/675884.html