Oh and never doubt that there still is one regarding suicide. While we may be improving by education we still have miles to go.

Dr. Edward Dune, an editor of Suicide and Its Aftermath: Understanding and Counseling the Survivors, is a highly regarded clinical psychologist and a suicide survivor himself. He believes that the stigma of suicide is so powerful because people who kill themselves are breaking an unwritten contract that declares we should not be free to leave society at will.

"The whole horror of suicide resonates with the most profound existential question of one's life: "Why should I live?" he explains. "To hear that someone has answered no, that someone has broken the rules, is extraordinarily threatening to survivors."

From the book, No Time to Say Goodbye by Carla Fine

Sounds right to me.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...ptible-suicide

Wasn't sure where to post this...maybe caregivers forum too.

I was listening to NPR this morning and on the Diane Rheam show they were talking about Altzheimers and how seldom it is mentioned in the obituarys of those who suffered from it. The professionals said that there is a stigma connected with it.....sounds familiar doesn't it!

How can we educate people about suicide if we can't talk about it!

yes it equals suicide . my best friend only told 3 people her mom, her oldest daughter and me. even my friend only said the word Alzheimer once then never mentioned it again.And in her death her mom just told others she had an illness or that she was sick... not that she had Alzheimer or that she decided to end it before Alzheimer caged her . she was just sick . but she wasnt sick and she really was not, as they say, that far into it she would call me and wed talk shed say my mom wont talk about "it " meaning Alzheimer . but we did even if my friend had to go out of ear shot if her mom was around. we did talk and that was good... sad but good none the less. and I would like to yell at her mom that she wasnt sick per say oh NO ...She was brave and strong and wise and BEAUTIFUL and she cared for others .She was my best best friend I will never find or have a friend like her again. and this week... well tomorrow makes exactly 6 months .. tho it seems like yesterday.
Sorry for my rant it just came out. and I went so off thread topic. I am sorry.
PEACE
BMW

I feel sad your hurt is so very fresh and that absence is hard. Alzheimers is a thief in the DAY taking the life of those whom we love and are thus affected.

My Dad retired after working so very hard all of his adult life and having built a very large highway construction company with hard work, the spirit of the Lord, and faith. He worked well past the common retirement ages we hear so often from peers and their parents. Goodness, Dad was beyond 70 when he finally hung it up and decided it was time to enjoy time with my Mom. They travelled, boated, camped, bought a new Winnebago..... and settled down to enjoy friends who had to be somewhat sidelined as Dad flew his small aircraft all over to check in on the operations in towns near and far and neighboring states.......

Then a few years into retirement, BAM, Dad began to lose it. For the last few years he has known none of us.

Living my Dad through this, I follow where your best friend found the resolve to avoid the strain on her and her family losing her one syllable or point of recognition at a time.

Stigmata? Absolutely! I follow, and fault you not BMW for thinking you went off topic, although I feel you did not.

Prayers,
mark56

my friend char had moved in with her mom in the last year to help care for her dad who has Alzheimer she also has a boy with down syndrome too so it WAS HARD for her. her dad is much further along then she was .shoot she never made it to see her 44th b-day ... but Yes I know we talked of Alzheimer and we talked of ways to "end it " what would work what might not work... what will God think will God forgive , take away the shame she was covered in, ... all that stuff. and in the end .. to me that is what made her the bravest most caring loving person on the face of the earth. her sacrifice for"us" her family her friends.
Thanks Mark for tying the two together and not thinking I went off topic. hugs my friend and prayers and hugs to the room.
PEACE
BMW

Perhaps i feel like i helped kill my best Friend. And i cant shake it off. And who wants a friend like that? What kind of person am I ? I will NEVER EVER tell her family.

Ok dear friend...you know how I feel on the subject of assisted suicide. What you did/helped with, was an act of compassion...of love. And the grieving you are experiencing is that awful combination of pain and guilt and terrible loss. Going on another "search" and will be doing some bumping up of threads. You are/were truly her best friend and I am so proud to know you.

I didn't want this post to get lost in the "bumping" (((BMW)))