Depression and suicide

TheCunningStunt · 08-08-2010, 10:35 PM

I was having a conversation about the subject of suicide and depression, and the people I were discussing it with were of the opinion that killing yourself is wrong because it's selfish. I was wondering what MBers felt about this. My argument was simply - holding a gun to your head, taking pills so that your internal organs collapse, holding a noose around your neck is not selfish.

And depression IS a mental illness/disorder. It all steamed from talking about rock stars drugged up and killing themselves (Kurt Cobain, I think.) and they were taking the moral high ground about drugs etc. I showed them this clip:

So taking the moral high ground about drugs was stupid on their part really. But that's besides the point.

The question I ask to you, is suicide cowardly?

thomasracer56 · 08-08-2010, 10:40 PM

aside from running from problems, it sort of isn't knowing it takes a lot of conviction because that self preservation part-GOOD FEAR- says don't do it. knowing your opiniona are that strong, they didn't die so weak after all.

EDIT: Sorry, chose wrong poll choice.

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 08-08-2010, 10:42 PM

In a way I think it's cowardly, a lot of people who do commit suicide are people who don't know how to ask for help, and most of them that you talk to, they want to be talked out of it. It's ****ing depressing to think about though, especially when you know someone who's killed themselves. I guess some people would say it's not, taking your own life into your own hands and whatnot

~~bungalow~~ · 08-08-2010, 10:43 PM

what about the devastated families you leave behind that are going to have to live with your decision for the rest of their lives?

TheCunningStunt · 08-08-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bungalow

what about the devastated families you leave behind that are going to have to live with your decision for the rest of their lives?

I know, I think the statistic is 60% of people who commit suicide are depressed. I don't know what the other 40% are, I can't imagine they're as happy as f*cking larry but there you go.

Maybe the 40% are just attention seekers? But 60% of people who commit suicide have a genuine disorder.

I think it's a really misunderstood illness and people shun it by simply saying that they're selfish. Because they wouldn't dream of leaving their family behind and making them suffer etc. but then again, they don't understand the mind set of somebody who is depressed.

I can see both sides of the coin, but it's an interesting topic I think.

thomasracer56 · 08-08-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bungalow

what about the devastated families you leave behind that are going to have to live with your decision for the rest of their lives?

That's probably one of the first things they think about.

~~Sansa Stark~~ · 08-08-2010, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thomasracer56

That's probably one of the first things they think about.

I highly doubt that, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

thomasracer56 · 08-08-2010, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paloma

I highly doubt that, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

Yeah, that's what my first post was about. They have the strongest and firmest convictions in the world, having they're heart set on their decision. Same with determination. Those who are determined know there are no excuses for what they must do not happening.

DopamineKata · 09-08-2010, 10:19 PM

I haven't read any of the posts before writing this one, but I'll get to it. I apologize for my hasty perusing, but I was anxious just to throw my words into the fodder of fire.

Is suicide cowardly? No, I don't think it is, but I do think it's selfish.

Hell, I'm a selfish guy. I think every human is selfish in a way. We all think about our own consequences and future, right?

On Saturday, that will mark the two-year anniversary for my girlfriend and I. Over the past two years we have made so many amazing memories. We have even been through hell and back. Cliche, I know, but it's the truth!

Now, if I lost her, I can't imagine how my life would be or how I'd live. I practically depend on her for my own happiness. She makes me so darn happy. Losing her would push me to the brink of wanting to end my life. Is that erroneous thinking on my part? Selfishness? Definitely. Would I be disregarding my friends and family and their feelings? Most definitely, I would be doing that.

Feelings... pain... they will drive people up and down a wall, to the point of acting upon impulse, without thinking.

I'm not even sure where I'm going with this post. I'll come back with more verbiage in a little while.

GeddyBass2112 · 01-09-2011, 01:25 PM

I'm going to be INCREDIBLY open here, more open than I usually am. I've attempted suicide four times, and am currently undergoing treatment and medication for depression. Each and every time I attempted my own life (first and third times by hanging myself, second time with an OD and the fourth and final time by trying to throw myself down a stairwell) I felt trapped, like I had no option than to do what I was doing.

With me it was a combination of stress, undignosed depression, events prior to the actual attempts and some other factors, like the first attempt in which I was sure I wouldn't be disturbed by anyone because my family were out shopping.

Problem with something like the issue of suicide is that it's HUGELY personal to each person who attempts it, and depression is also equally personal.

View Poll Results: Is suicide cowardly?
Yes	39	20.74%
No	79	42.02%
Sometimes, depends on the circumstances (kids etc.)	70	37.23%
Voters: 188. You may not vote on this poll

08-08-2010, 10:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
TheCunningStunt love will tear you apart Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Manchester, UK. Posts: 5,107	Depression and suicide I was having a conversation about the subject of suicide and depression, and the people I were discussing it with were of the opinion that killing yourself is wrong because it's selfish. I was wondering what MBers felt about this. My argument was simply - holding a gun to your head, taking pills so that your internal organs collapse, holding a noose around your neck is not selfish. And depression IS a mental illness/disorder. It all steamed from talking about rock stars drugged up and killing themselves (Kurt Cobain, I think.) and they were taking the moral high ground about drugs etc. I showed them this clip: So taking the moral high ground about drugs was stupid on their part really. But that's besides the point. The question I ask to you, is suicide cowardly? __________________ I don't feel and I feel great. Last FM

08-08-2010, 10:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
thomasracer56 Still Crazy Nutso! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: California, USA Posts: 148	aside from running from problems, it sort of isn't knowing it takes a lot of conviction because that self preservation part-GOOD FEAR- says don't do it. knowing your opiniona are that strong, they didn't die so weak after all. EDIT: Sorry, chose wrong poll choice.

08-08-2010, 10:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
~~Sansa Stark~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Eyrie, Vale of Arryn, Westeros Posts: 3,234	In a way I think it's cowardly, a lot of people who do commit suicide are people who don't know how to ask for help, and most of them that you talk to, they want to be talked out of it. It's ****ing depressing to think about though, especially when you know someone who's killed themselves. I guess some people would say it's not, taking your own life into your own hands and whatnot

08-08-2010, 10:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
~~bungalow~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hot-lanta Posts: 3,061	what about the devastated families you leave behind that are going to have to live with your decision for the rest of their lives?

09-08-2010, 10:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
DopamineKata Groupie Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 2	I haven't read any of the posts before writing this one, but I'll get to it. I apologize for my hasty perusing, but I was anxious just to throw my words into the fodder of fire. Is suicide cowardly? No, I don't think it is, but I do think it's selfish. Hell, I'm a selfish guy. I think every human is selfish in a way. We all think about our own consequences and future, right? On Saturday, that will mark the two-year anniversary for my girlfriend and I. Over the past two years we have made so many amazing memories. We have even been through hell and back. Cliche, I know, but it's the truth! Now, if I lost her, I can't imagine how my life would be or how I'd live. I practically depend on her for my own happiness. She makes me so darn happy. Losing her would push me to the brink of wanting to end my life. Is that erroneous thinking on my part? Selfishness? Definitely. Would I be disregarding my friends and family and their feelings? Most definitely, I would be doing that. Feelings... pain... they will drive people up and down a wall, to the point of acting upon impulse, without thinking. I'm not even sure where I'm going with this post. I'll come back with more verbiage in a little while.

01-09-2011, 01:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
GeddyBass2112 Music Addict Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Posts: 165	I'm going to be INCREDIBLY open here, more open than I usually am. I've attempted suicide four times, and am currently undergoing treatment and medication for depression. Each and every time I attempted my own life (first and third times by hanging myself, second time with an OD and the fourth and final time by trying to throw myself down a stairwell) I felt trapped, like I had no option than to do what I was doing. With me it was a combination of stress, undignosed depression, events prior to the actual attempts and some other factors, like the first attempt in which I was sure I wouldn't be disturbed by anyone because my family were out shopping. Problem with something like the issue of suicide is that it's HUGELY personal to each person who attempts it, and depression is also equally personal.