Posted by Marie1 on July 4, 2001, at 9:39:09
In reply to Re: is suicide ever rational?, posted by sar on July 3, 2001, at 19:27:30
One of my brothers killed himself 4 years ago; it was totally out of the blue and stunned everyone who knew him. Until we read a journal he was keeping on his computer. Then it became apparent that he was suffering intense psychic pain and had been for a very long time (nearly his whole life - he was 32). At the time, after much soul searching, I concluded that if he wasn't in some "better place" (I'm unconvinced on the whole God thing), at least he wasn't in pain anymore.
Two years later, I had my own experience with major depression and experienced first hand suicide ideation and the psychotic thoughts that can lead us there. I wasn't in my "right mind", and had I carried out my plans, I can't imagine what I would have put my kids through.
I don't know if I can even compare his state of mind to mine - maybe it was very different for him. I guess it was very obvious to my family and friends when I was sick - the same can't be said for my brother. Would he have benefitted from some kind of intervention? I don't know...I wish he had tried getting help, but then maybe that was just prolonging the inevitable? We'll never know, but I think my brother was rational when he made the decision, which was at least 8 months before he died.
poster:Marie1
thread:7031
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010628/msgs/7065.html