"Bill Denton" wrote in message
...
I've got to take issue with you on this statement: "People who are that
depressed are invariably so wrapped up in themselves and their imaginary
problems that the rest of the world barely exists for them. In fact, one
of
the reasons they kill themselves is to hurt others. "They'll be sorry when
I'm gone" is a common refrain."

"Imaginary problems"? - There are always hypochondriacs with imaginary
problems, but most people who suffer from depression are dealing with very
real problems. And it is these real problems that frequently trigger or
exacerbate depression. And there is also depression that is the result of
a
chemical imbalance in the brain, which may have no connections with a
sufferers problems (or lack thereof).

"In fact, one of the reasons they kill themselves is to hurt others". -
Successful suicides frequently agonize a great deal over the pain their
death will cause others. They worry about the pain, financial aspects, and
many other ways in which their death will impact their children, spouses,
siblings, and other relatives and friends. They know that by ending their
life they may keep a situation from getting worse, but even though they
are
gone, their family still doesn't have any money, or the deceased may still
be branded a "sex offender", or whatever problems may have existed are
still
there.

Another point: once a person has made a decision to end their life, they
frequently go into an upbeat, often euphoric state that lasts up until
they
commit the act. Their problems are going to end, why should they worry or
be
depressed? Why should they want to hurt others?

"They'll be sorry when I'm gone" is a common refrain." - And it's the
refrain of the teenage girl with the razorblade who cuts across her wrist
even though she well knows that you have to cut lengthwise on the wrist to
kill yourself. This is typically a cry for attention or a form of
"blackmail" they are using to try to get their way on something. Since
death
is really not the goal, most mental health professionals can have a good
outcome with these patients. But more and more teenagers are successfully
committing suicide, and this should be a concern (at some level) of all
parents of teenagers. I'm not going to write a manual on the raising of
teenagers; there are plenty of good ones out there. And there are plenty
of
mental health professionals who can provide help. Don't be embarrassed to
consult one if one is needed.

Just felt some clarification was needed...


Bill, I agree with you on most all of what you said. In my 28 years of being
stranded on this rock. I have to say, I have been to 1 to many funerals of
friends and family for that stupid selfish reason.