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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.	:-)