I was actually coming at it from a personal and a mental health professional point of view. Personally, I've had suicidal thoughts mixed in with my depression for years. I've considered it seriously at least a few times. Professionally, we've been taught a lot about the spectrum of suicides, the ones that are cries for help and the ones that are a person deciding to end their lives.
The former doesn't necessarily present with a history of depression, but can include anxiety and stress. This is most common in teenagers and should, of course, be taken seriously, because too often the cry for help isn't heard. The other end of the spectrum is more common with older people, most often there is a history of depression and medication.
That last part is why so often the layperson will think it so surprising. The suicide rate actually increases after the onset of anti-depressant medication because in the depth of a major depression, the patient often doesn't have the motivation and energy to go through with a suicide. That's why we're always urging people never to take anti-depressants without professional supervision. Now, as I said, the person who has decided on death and gets into the planning stage looks highly functional from the outside. They are often very meticulous in their deception, but it's not a long-term state of mind. They can present as more carefree, more outgoing, like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders.
People kill themselves because their brain chemistry is out of whack. I understand that it can appear to be out of nowhere from the outside, but it is never out of nowhere for the person killing themselves. I guarantee you they've been carrying it around for a long time. And in fictional characterization, that should show up. We get to see them often enough doing their staring into space thing, their little reaction shots, with the music overlay. We should get hints that one of them is battling depression.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-04-03 07:14 pm (UTC)The former doesn't necessarily present with a history of depression, but can include anxiety and stress. This is most common in teenagers and should, of course, be taken seriously, because too often the cry for help isn't heard. The other end of the spectrum is more common with older people, most often there is a history of depression and medication.
That last part is why so often the layperson will think it so surprising. The suicide rate actually increases after the onset of anti-depressant medication because in the depth of a major depression, the patient often doesn't have the motivation and energy to go through with a suicide. That's why we're always urging people never to take anti-depressants without professional supervision. Now, as I said, the person who has decided on death and gets into the planning stage looks highly functional from the outside. They are often very meticulous in their deception, but it's not a long-term state of mind. They can present as more carefree, more outgoing, like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders.
People kill themselves because their brain chemistry is out of whack. I understand that it can appear to be out of nowhere from the outside, but it is never out of nowhere for the person killing themselves. I guarantee you they've been carrying it around for a long time. And in fictional characterization, that should show up. We get to see them often enough doing their staring into space thing, their little reaction shots, with the music overlay. We should get hints that one of them is battling depression.