Suicide is a permanent solution to what, with the proper help, could be a short-term situation. It needn’t be permanent. Seek the help and support you need.
When I attempted suicide, I caught my support system off guard, including my doctors and psychiatric nurse. I had kept my feelings to myself. I survived the next day, so I called my kids and had them all crying. My daughter, the nurse, immediately took control and took me to the ER.
I was still thinking about it, but I kept thinking about them all crying. I didnt want to do that to them. It made me think twice about trying again. I went into the hospital voluntarily and out of that came the promise to never try that again, and that I would tell someone if I was feeling suicidal thoughts.
On a later occasion, I was having severe hallucinations, delusions and suicidal thoughts. I kept my promise and told my son, who made sure I got to the hospital. I earned myself a new specifier of psychotic features to go along with my diagnosis of bipolar disorder type 1.
My therapist kept in touch with my daughter to find out how I was. I told my psychiatric nurse that I had been in the hospital, but the medications they gave me were messing me up and I needed to see her as soon as possible. A medication change was necessary. She listened to me and agreed.
My family came to visit me and so did my best friend. I even had an aunt come in. Most people had no visitors at all. They had no support. Support is necessary to keep you from going through with suicidal thoughts.
I know people who go through suicide attempts over and over just so they can have some support of some kind. Their family doesnt care. They have no friends or the wrong kind of friends.
I feel so sorry for people who have no support. So many more people could be saved if they just had the support of people who care. Even the support of someone they dont know. I have convinced people to go to the hospital and it didnt take a major battle. I would venture most of the time that we all want help and someone to take an interest in our feelings and take the time to talk about it or drive them to the emergency room even. Show someone you care today!
To read more from Teresa, see the rest of her posts for IBPF here or visit her personal blog here.