Comments on: Too much suicide?

By: Sherry

Sherry — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:10:42 +0000

“Out of options” is the phrase that best describes my frame of mind when I attempted suicide. I no longer do that, merely because I won’t do that to my sweet husband. But staying alive for another person is a chore beyond belief.

Interestingly, I was (finally) diagnosed with hypothyroidism this spring. Well, the blood test results came back in January but no one bothered to tell me. I still have PTSD and episodes of serious depression, but the disthymia I’ve lived with since my late twenties is gone. Imagine how much easier my life would have been had someone listened to me decades ago instead of blowing me off when I brought up my many, many hypothyroid symptoms…

As for “selfish” and “cowardly”, I think it’s selfish and cowardly of you to judge people in pain rather than making the effort to actually know what you’re talking about. Even if your only interest is in the survivors (fair enough), your attitude is so unhelpful as to push someone over the cliff–which isn’t very helpful to the survivors you say you care about. Please think about this. Judgement is a cheap way out.

By: frank

frank — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 05:57:41 +0000

I think words like selfish and cowardly are interesting choices considering the nature of the suicidal act.

Can any behavior that ends the existence of or eliminates the self be called selfish? I think self-less is more like it. And as far as cowardly goes, I bet you that word is probably not used by almost anyone who has actually attempted suicide.

I have no study to cite to back this up, but I think those two words: selfish and cowardly are two that are often associated with suicidal behavior.

While I get that people “go there” in thinking about the suicidal, I think “self-involved” and “dramatic” or “extreme” may be closer to the mark.

By: z0tl

z0tl — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 03:22:38 +0000

anyone who labels suicide as “cowardly and selfish” has never been really suicidal.

that’s my story and i’m sticking to it and i’ve spent more than a year seriously considering it.

By: lavalady

lavalady — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:11:00 +0000

I so disagree with this statement. We have not all lost someone to suicide. I personally have never met anyone who later killed themselves. I am alone in my life as far as living with a shadow of suidicality as a constant companion. No one in ‘meat space’ knows how I feel, or how I struggle.

I think suicide is UNDER reported everywhere. I think it’s sensationalized too often, but not talked about in a realistic fashion.

I’m glad that I found your blog and the communities I’ve encountered. It’s made me realize that I’m not alone in my struggle. It’s important to talk about it. Keep expressing yourself as you see fit.