Posted by Reggie BoStar on April 9, 2009, at 17:59:51
In reply to Re: Can suicide be an act of revenge?, posted by B2chica on April 9, 2009, at 9:01:51
Thanks B2,
Lots of good insight in your response.Complicating the situation is that the suicide was an alcoholic, at rock-bottom when he took his life.
I am a recovering alcoholic, so I have a little background knowledge on how the disease can bring on suicidal ideation when things are at their worst. I never got further than a rehearsal but even that was pretty bad.
You're right, I have to be very careful about this person's feelings, for whatever reason the suicide ended his life. It's just that knowing what I know about alcoholism introduces a large amount of insanity to the equation. In the presence of such insanity, even a direct expression of revenge is suspect. It's something the suicide would never have thought of doing if his thinking hadn't been so convoluted by alcohol.
Basically it's the insanity defense, and with alcohol present I think it's a good one. I seriously doubt he could have been entertaining deliberate thoughts of revenge.
So there I am. I have a very good reason to believe that it wasn't an act of vengeance. Thus when I hear the survivor sound off it's very difficult for me to hold my silence on the matter.
Maybe I should say something in a comforting tone, like "he was out of his mind drunk and would never do such a thing to you sober."
I honestly believe this is the truth. But would saying it hurt or help?
Until I can answer that question, "silence is golden".
I hope.
Reggie
poster:Reggie BoStar
thread:889571
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20090328/msgs/889697.html