I had a conversation today with a dear friend who is in the depth of depression and was talking semi-suicidal. Not anything immediate, but still disturbing. Later, I saw a post on Real Euphoria that talked about the issue of suicide (http://realeuphoria.com/?p=1101). As one who has had near encounters with suicide, I believe Euphoric is correct in saying that suicide seems to be the answer to two things: A feeling of hopelessness and/or an uncontrollable need to stop the pain. Those were certainly what I was feeling at the time, particularly the latter.
In retrospect, I know I was not thinking clearly and was letting my depression and sense of hopelessness take control. I also was failing to live in the present and was totally stressing myself out about things that in the final analysis did not matter. Sometimes we let social constructs and our conditioning patterns dictate who we are instead of valuing our own uniqueness and talents. My friend is an amazingly good hearted person, but sadly lets his difficult past blind him to the opportunities the future can hold.
I hope my friend will realize that someone does love him and that someone does want to be with him and someone is always willing to help him.
The other thing that struck me in Euphoric's post was this statistic: A recent Australian study found that gay-identified young men (aged 18 - 24) were 3.7 times more likely to attempt suicide. In the U.S it is up to 14 times more likely. This certainly speaks to how screwed up the USA is and what the message of hate put out so frequently by the Christianists and false Christians can do to young males.
A website with many links to information can be found here: http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.suicide.html
2 comments:
Just an important message of assurance. Many individuals experience the existential angst of "what's the point?" and "it will never work" for me. Coupled with the homophobia, the Wall of Opprobrium, followed by the Wall of Isolation, reach melancholy depths of despair. When suicide is no longer just a "passing thought," reach out immediately to your primary physician, friends, your community health facility, even to family (if they are supportive).
This mental occurrence as a "passing thought" is one thing, but when it does not pass, you've reached the depths of depression that requires MEDICAL intervention. Friends, family, others may assist, and hopefully will, but suicidal depression is a biochemical imbalance that requires medical treatment immediately. There's nothing wrong with you, your body's biochemistry has gone off-kilter, and it only feeds the thoughts of despair, loneliness, hopeless on "turbo-charge."
Fortunately, blocking the reuptake of one, two, or three neurotransmitters, which then the brain compensates by keeping the neurotransmitter sustained in the of the brain, nearly always overcomes the chemical imbalance, restore some semblance of normal mental functions, and allows the individual to work through "issues" without the adversity of the chemical imbalance intensifying the effect.
Most physicians use SSRIs, NSRIs, or DNI (serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine agents) with rapid success and response, although delay up to ten days has been shown. Of all modern chemistry, no agents have been more useful and successful, with very few side effects, in correcting the imbalance. But anyone contemplating suicide or persists in a profoundly "deep funk" for weeks needs to consult a primary physician immediately. These new drugs are wonder-workers, very commonly prescribed, mostly generic (therefore inexpensive), and effective.
Some common names, so that you are sure your physician is on the right track:
Paxil, Zoloft, Prosac, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Effexor
Please consult the Wiki article for further information, and then see your physician.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_depression
Michael, thank you and Euphoria for spuring me to add a permanent
posting to prevent suicide, plus a toll free button in my quick link section on my blog LGBT Rainbow Links. I have lost two cousins to suicide, hopefully we can help others before they make the final error. There is hope for everyone no matter how dark things seem.
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