Fatal Obsessions
"Never doubt the power of a person."
~ Tori Amos



I have tried to kill myself numerous times, and come close numerous times. The most serious attempt was about four years ago. I took an overdose of 174 Tylenol and Aspirin. I very nearly was successful in taking my own life. I came very close to taking a lethal mixture of psychotropic medication recently, and were it not for my amazing therapist, I would have. Suicidal thoughts and gestures are NOT a joke. Depression is very real, and poison to one's soul. It lies to you, and tells you life is worthless and not worth living. And I have found most often, that when someone thinks about or attempts suicide that it is not because they want to die. They simply want the pain to go away.


IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM DEPRESSION AND HAVE THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE PLEASE TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST.
If you need someone to talk to, you can always email me.


Symptoms of Major Depression

Not all people with depression will have all these symptoms or have them to the same degree. If a person has four or more of these symptoms, if nothing can make them go away, and if they last more than two weeks, a doctor or psychiatrist should be consulted.

Persistent sad or "empty" mood.
Feeling hopeless, helpless, worthless, pessimistic and or guilty.
Substance abuse.
Fatigue or loss of interest in ordinary activities, including sex.
Disturbances in eating and sleeping patterns.
Irritability, increased crying, anxiety and panic attacks.
Diffculty concentrating, remembering or making decisions.
Thoughts of suicide; suicide plans or attempts.
Persistent physical symptoms or pains that do not respond to treatment.

A suicidal person urgently needs to see a doctor or psychiatrist.

If you do not have insurance the following options might be used:

1.Please remember that you can always go to your nearest hospital emergency room for help.
2.Look in your local Yellow Pages under Mental Health and/or Suicide Prevention; then call the mental health organizations/crisis phone lines that are listed. There may be clinics or counseling centers in your area, that operate on a sliding fee scale. Your local hospital(s) may also have resource information.
3.Some pharmaceutical companies have "Free Medication Programs" for those who qualify. Visit the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill website at www.nami.org for more information.


Common Misconceptions About Suicide


1."People who talk about suicide won't really do it."

NOT TRUE
Almost everyone who committs or attempts suicide has given some clue or warning. Do not ignore suicide threats. Statements like: "you'll be sorry when I'm dead," or "I can't see any way out," -- no matter how casually or jokingly said may indicate serious suicidal feelings.

2."Anyone who tries to kill him/herself must be crazy."

NOT TRUE
Most suicidal people are not psychotic or insane. They must be upset, grief-stricken, depressed or dispairing, but extreme distress and emotional pain are not necessarily signs of mental illness.

3."If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop him/her."

NOT TRUE
Even the most severely depressed person has mixed feelings about death, wavering until the very last momemt between wanting to live and wanting to die. Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. The impluse to end it all, however overpowering, does not last forever.

4."People who commit suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help."

NOT TRUE
Studies of suicide victims have shown that more then half had sought medical help within six months before their deaths.

5."Talking about suicide may give someone the idea."

NOT TRUE
You don't give a suicidal person morbid ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true --bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.


All information taken from here



Links

SA/VE ~ Suicide Awereness / Voices of Education

American Association of Suicidology

Andrews Depression Page

Depression Resources List

1,000 Deaths
A suicide dies once. Those left behind die 1,000 deaths trying to understand why.