Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 exptools 1/6/84; site ihu1e.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!ihu1e!jgpo From: jgpo@ihu1e.UUCP (John, KA9MNK) Newsgroups: net.suicide Subject: Re: Re: Anyone out there? Message-ID: <366@ihu1e.UUCP> Date: Thu, 3-Jan-85 17:09:15 EST Article-I.D.: ihu1e.366 Posted: Thu Jan 3 17:09:15 1985 Date-Received: Fri, 4-Jan-85 04:04:51 EST References: <213@cmu-cs-cad.ARPA> <114@entropy.UUCP> Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL Lines: 39 > Posit: A defense mechanism against suicide is the enui accompaning suicidal > tendencies, a lack of iniative. This seems to be true. A few years ago, a good friend of mine was going through a very painful divorce (following an even more painful marriage). Her ennui and lack of initiative were so great she almost couldn't function at all. After the divorce was granted and she had been in therapy for several months, she started having strong suicidal urges. This frightened her and she mentioned it to her therapist. The therapist told her that this was a good sign: the fact that she had the energy to contemplate suicide showed that she was coming out of her depression. I recall reading (no references, sorry) that people in severe depressive states rarely commit suicide because they can't foster the energy to even think of this way out. The most dangerous time for depressives is when they begin to recover. They're still miserable, but they can see an out and a lot of them take it. Severly depressed people bear watching, especially in the initial stages of recovery. A sympathetic therapist (and steadfast friends and family) can make all the difference in the world. John Opalko AT&T Bell Labs Naperville, IL PS: My friend is still alive, no longer depressed, now degreed, and is happily busy mothering her six-year-old son and working as a Registered Nurse. Thanks for asking. :-)