Getting Help

Alffe · 03-16-2011, 12:40 PM

Paul Quinnett, in his very helpful book Suicide, The forever Decision had this to say about getting help from our family physicians.

"Over and over again, we are reminded to see our "family doctor" if we are having problems, including emotional ones. I, personally, consider this generally poor advice for people in an emotional crisis. With some notable exceptions and excluding psychiatrists, most physicians have not had the appropriate training or experience to be of much help to emotionally upset people. Busy professionals, many frequently do not have the time to listen to someone whose life's problems are great and who may be thinking of suicide. Many of them work on a fifteen-minute schedule (that's fifteen minutes per patient) and, as a result, most simply do not have an hour to sit down and listen to someone in trouble.

As a result, and as tragic as it is, many people who commit suicide have recently been treated by their family doctors, sometimes on the same day they take their lives. More to the point, many people who attempt suicide use the very medications supplied to them by their physicians. No doctor I know would willing supply a lethal dose of medication to a suicidal person.

So, if you go to your family doctor to discuss your problems, you'd better make darn sure you tell him or her that you are having suicidal thoughts and feelings. If he doesn't want to discuss these with you, or gives you the impression he's too busy to listen, or fails to refer you to someone who has the time to listen, then for Pete's sake, get yourself to someone who is trained, has the time, and understands what an emotional and suicidal crisis is."

**************

He goes on to point out that doctors are not mind readers and they don't routinely ask if someone is thinking about suicide so, hard as it is, you have to tell him how you are feeling.

Doody · 03-16-2011, 03:12 PM

I turned to 2 doctors. My therapist first...and my family doctor next. But, I've had this doctor for years and years and he knows me well and my reactions to medications. He knows my struggle with depression very well. And his primary interest (in addition to the obvious other medical needs) is people coping with such things as depression, anxiety, bipolar, and all of those. So in my particular case, my doctor is a good person.

But even as important as him is my therapist. A very kind woman with a lot to say...helping me stay on even keel.

Those 2 in conjunction have 'saved' me more than once.

I wonder if this is an inappropriate thread to bring this up again? But, I want to reiterate what my therapist told me is a validated statistic (because she reminded me again at my last visit). When one commits suicide, the loved ones left behind are 30% more likely to take their own lives at some point in the future as well. So, if you're thinking about 'it', don't forget about those you will leave behind. You can see the devastation suicide leaves in its wake...right here in this forum. Seek help.

Alffe · 03-16-2011, 03:33 PM

Very appropriate dear friend. I know that you remember my talking about walking around the cemetary where Michael is buried with a loaded gun just months after his death.

I remember talking to my wonderful dr. who lost a neice to suicide and she told me "don't do anything stupid!"

You are soooo doing the right thing Doody...you are talking about your feelings with professionals. People cannot help you if they don't know how you feel.

Suicide is an awful legacy to leave those you love...and some people see it as giving permission to the act.

Doody · 03-16-2011, 05:23 PM

((Ms. Alffe)) that is exactly what my therapist said. Those left behind who become suicidal see a loved one's suicide act as permission for them to commit suicide as well.

dnserror · 03-18-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doody

((Ms. Alffe)) that is exactly what my therapist said. Those left behind who become suicidal see a loved one's suicide act as permission for them to commit suicide as well.

Seriously?

Alffe · 03-18-2011, 10:55 AM

Seriously...especially children which is why they must be told the truth about suicide and told that it is not an ok choice.

Doody · 03-23-2011, 03:19 PM

Hi dnserror. When I see the therapist next Monday, I'll ask where she gets those statistics. She did tell me but my brain forgot.

Maybe this will help.

Quote:

What are the risk factors for suicide?

Research shows that risk factors for suicide include:

* depression and other mental disorders, or a substance-abuse disorder (often in combination with other mental disorders). More than 90 percent of people who die by suicide have these risk factors.2
* prior suicide attempt
* family history of mental disorder or substance abuse
* family history of suicide
* family violence, including physical or sexual abuse
* firearms in the home,3 the method used in more than half of suicides
* incarceration
* exposure to the suicidal behavior of others, such as family members, peers, or media figures.2

However, suicide and suicidal behavior are not normal responses to stress; many people have these risk factors, but are not suicidal. Research also shows that the risk for suicide is associated with changes in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including serotonin. Decreased levels of serotonin have been found in people with depression, impulsive disorders, and a history of suicide attempts, and in the brains of suicide victims. 4

From here. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publi...on/index.shtml

Doody · 03-23-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Suicide Attempts

A suicide attempt means a child is trying to kill his or herself but survives.

What makes a child more likely to attempt suicide?

If a child has major depressive disorder, he or she is seven times more likely to try suicide. About 22% of depressed children will try suicide. Looking at it another way, children and teenagers who attempt suicide are 8 times more likely to have a mood disorder, three times more likely to have an anxiety disorder, and 6 times more likely to have a substance abuse problem.(7). A family history of suicidal behavior and guns that are available also increase the risk.

A very major factor is family members who have committed suicide. If a girl's biological parent has committed suicide, she is 4-5 times as likely to make a suicide attempt. If a girl's sibling has committed suicide, she is 11 times more likely to try to kill herself. (36) The vast majority (almost 90%) of children and adolescents who attempt suicide have psychiatric disorders. Over 75% have had some psychiatric contact in the last year. (6) If a number of these are present, suicide risk needs to be carefully assessed regularly. If children are constantly dwelling on death and think being dead would be kind of nice, they are more likely to make a serious attempt. (15).

http://www.klis.com/chandler/pamphlet/dep/Suicide.htm

Doody · 03-23-2011, 03:35 PM

Quote:

CONCLUSIONS: The rate of suicide was twice as high in families of suicide victims as in comparison families. A family history of suicide predicted suicide independent of severe mental disorder.

The American Journal of Psychiatry

dnserror · 03-24-2011, 02:04 PM

Hi doody,allfe, I have never heard of that before.. it is alot to think about...

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