Posted by holymama on August 7, 2004, at 15:40:34
In reply to Re: Night Falls Fast - understanding suicide, posted by Susan47 on August 7, 2004, at 11:03:18
Hi Susan and everyone,
I read and really liked the book. I think suicide and suicidal thinking are really misunderstood, even by someone who has been hospitalized for suicidal depression. I felt after reading it that I wasn't alone in my depressions, that there are many, many other people who have been there. And I was amazed to find how similar the thought process of other people is to mine! I always thought, for example, that suicidal thoughts were a result of a despairing view of life -- life is too hard, I can't take it anymore, etc. My suicidal thoughts on the other hand, come impulsively -- I could have one really bad day where I swing into depression, and I am afraid I might impulsively kill myself out of the intense torture that I feel. I was surprised to read that this impulsiveness is common, and puts me at higher risk. That was pretty eye-opening for me and makes me take it more seriously.
I have an interest in studying clinical psychology and working with people with mental illness. That, and the fact that I've been dealing with bipolar disorder and have been hospitalized myself, has driven me to do a lot of reading lately on mental illness. I've read a few books by Kay Redfield Jamison, and also Lauren Slater in the past couple of months. I've liked both authors and every book that I read gives me a new insight into my illness and the illness of others. While a book on suicide might be 'depressing' to read, I find it fascinating to begin to try to understand why a person could possibly want to 'self-destruct'. It is such a misunderstood and taboo subject, and I liked an author approaching it with such honesty and inquiry. ~~Autumn~~
poster:holymama
thread:374944
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040805/msgs/375105.html