What I have learned from my suicidal patients • Hacker News Board

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#21

Post by paulcole » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:03 PM UTC

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #10

sillysaurusx wrote: post #9

I just wanted to say, if anyone is having a dark time, make an appointment with a doctor and ask them about Prozac. Unlike most antidepressants, the side effects don’t seem very noticeable. I think there’s a sort of stigma against talking about mental health (except in the third person), but it’s one of those things that should probably change. Taking Prozac doesn’t mean you’re somehow broken. It’s like a crutch: why…

This reads like advertising copy. Prozac has a number of potential side effects as well as needing commitment and a staged withdrawal. This is a dangerous comment and should be burried. edit: this isn't to say I don't think antidepressants are a fantastic tool; just that I don't think you should be going to your doctor and asking for a specific flavour of drugs because you heard about them on the internet. It's a rea…

It’s very likely that Pfizer and other big pharma companies have shill accounts here. They’ve downvoted me before for trying to reveal the truth.

Edit: It has happened again.

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#22

Post by algaeontoast » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:08 PM UTC

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #10

sillysaurusx wrote: post #9

I just wanted to say, if anyone is having a dark time, make an appointment with a doctor and ask them about Prozac. Unlike most antidepressants, the side effects don’t seem very noticeable. I think there’s a sort of stigma against talking about mental health (except in the third person), but it’s one of those things that should probably change. Taking Prozac doesn’t mean you’re somehow broken. It’s like a crutch: why…

This reads like advertising copy. Prozac has a number of potential side effects as well as needing commitment and a staged withdrawal. This is a dangerous comment and should be burried. edit: this isn't to say I don't think antidepressants are a fantastic tool; just that I don't think you should be going to your doctor and asking for a specific flavour of drugs because you heard about them on the internet. It's a rea…

Citalopram also works wonders, that said it’s only half of the equation to healing your psyche.

It’s important to remember that drugs affect everyone differently. But an antidepressant can be a good first step to getting out of a rut (even if exercise for SOME is as effective).

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#23

Post by Ixiaus » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:09 PM UTC

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #10

sillysaurusx wrote: post #9

I just wanted to say, if anyone is having a dark time, make an appointment with a doctor and ask them about Prozac. Unlike most antidepressants, the side effects don’t seem very noticeable. I think there’s a sort of stigma against talking about mental health (except in the third person), but it’s one of those things that should probably change. Taking Prozac doesn’t mean you’re somehow broken. It’s like a crutch: why…

This reads like advertising copy. Prozac has a number of potential side effects as well as needing commitment and a staged withdrawal. This is a dangerous comment and should be burried. edit: this isn't to say I don't think antidepressants are a fantastic tool; just that I don't think you should be going to your doctor and asking for a specific flavour of drugs because you heard about them on the internet. It's a rea…

I've known many people who've been helped in a non-trivial way by antidepressants. Furthermore I had a colleague commit suicide recently due to depression.

His comment is not dangerous, it's encouraging. Pharmaceuticals all have side effects and must be taken with care, I've known literally no one that went into antidepressants ignorant of those things.

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#24

Post by pjc50 » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:11 PM UTC

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #10

sillysaurusx wrote: post #9

I just wanted to say, if anyone is having a dark time, make an appointment with a doctor and ask them about Prozac. Unlike most antidepressants, the side effects don’t seem very noticeable. I think there’s a sort of stigma against talking about mental health (except in the third person), but it’s one of those things that should probably change. Taking Prozac doesn’t mean you’re somehow broken. It’s like a crutch: why…

This reads like advertising copy. Prozac has a number of potential side effects as well as needing commitment and a staged withdrawal. This is a dangerous comment and should be burried. edit: this isn't to say I don't think antidepressants are a fantastic tool; just that I don't think you should be going to your doctor and asking for a specific flavour of drugs because you heard about them on the internet. It's a rea…

Hmm - if it had recommended antidepressants in general it would be reasonable advice. But there are lots of them, and no a priori reason to pick a specific one.

Most medication has side effects.

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#25

Post by algaeontoast » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:13 PM UTC

sysbin wrote: post #14

I theorize society would be a better place if people could choose to end their life when they please by assistance in dying (commonly given to terminally ill). Although the idea is controversial I'm firmly attached to it from what I've witnessed in my life. Some people just have a terrible fate and nothing that comes in their life changes it because not everyone gets a good job, significant other, place to call home,…

I think this is a uniquely western / American dilemma. I recently had an older relative decide to not proceed with treatment for stage four pancreatic cancer and my family’s response was almost of shame and aghast.

It’s still odd to me that my parents were almost offended when I signed forms that indicates I did not want to be on life support if I’m brain dead or forcibly resuscitated if I arrived at a hospital “dead”.

As someone who continues to fight depression, I don’t understand why others feel their opninions should have weight when it comes to someone else’s decision to live or not continue to live.

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#26

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:13 PM UTC

sysbin wrote: post #14

I theorize society would be a better place if people could choose to end their life when they please by assistance in dying (commonly given to terminally ill). Although the idea is controversial I'm firmly attached to it from what I've witnessed in my life. Some people just have a terrible fate and nothing that comes in their life changes it because not everyone gets a good job, significant other, place to call home,…

[deleted]

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#27

Post by drunken-serval » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:13 PM UTC

sillysaurusx wrote: post #15

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reads like advertising copy. Prozac has a number of potential side effects as well as needing commitment and a staged withdrawal. This is a dangerous comment and should be burried. edit: this isn't to say I don't think antidepressants are a fantastic tool; just that I don't think you should be going to your doctor and asking for a specific flavour of drugs because you heard about them on the internet. It's a rea…

I can tell you from firsthand experience for more than a year that the only effects I’ve noticed are slightly decreased libido. That’s generally considered TMI, which is why I didn’t mention it. But if I’m going to be honest and open, well... Other than that, the side effects have included a renewed appreciation for life and and an ability not to have a sense of impending doom engulf my soul. I was careful to say “my…

My experience tells me you’re are dangerously wrong to portray your experience with a single medication to be representative of anything.

I’m bipolar and spend a significant amount of time helping out in a support group for people with mental health issues. All of them have vastly different experiences. One medication I was on had terrible side effects while someone else was saved by it.

My current mix of medications would put some of the people I’ve helped immediately in the hospital. I myself have been sent to the ER by my psychiatrist due to a medication I was on.

Many psychiatric medications can’t be stopped without serious risks yet I’ve know people who have stopped all their medications and been fine. Others have permanent damage.

The only thing consistent with medication is that everyone is different.

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#28

Post by ThrowawayP » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:14 PM UTC

sysbin wrote: post #14

I theorize society would be a better place if people could choose to end their life when they please by assistance in dying (commonly given to terminally ill). Although the idea is controversial I'm firmly attached to it from what I've witnessed in my life. Some people just have a terrible fate and nothing that comes in their life changes it because not everyone gets a good job, significant other, place to call home,…

> Some people just have a terrible fate and nothing that comes in their life changes it because not everyone gets a good job, significant other, place to call home, and the healthy body.

There's actually a term for this, SLS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shit_Life_Syndrome

Apparently it was coined as a "ha ha, only serious" joke but came into more general usage in the UK: https://authenticmedicine.com/did-i-discover-the-concept-of-...

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#29

Post by ThrowawayP » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:16 PM UTC

pjc50 wrote: post #24

BuildTheRobots wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This reads like advertising copy. Prozac has a number of potential side effects as well as needing commitment and a staged withdrawal. This is a dangerous comment and should be burried. edit: this isn't to say I don't think antidepressants are a fantastic tool; just that I don't think you should be going to your doctor and asking for a specific flavour of drugs because you heard about them on the internet. It's a rea…

Hmm - if it had recommended antidepressants in general it would be reasonable advice. But there are lots of them, and no a priori reason to pick a specific one. Most medication has side effects.

Prozac has among the lowest side effect profiles for anti-depressants and is dirt cheap since it's long out of patent. That's why it's often the first thing tried despite not having the highest rate of effectiveness, as far as I understand it.

Re: What I have learned from my suicidal patients

#30

Post by 3pt14159 » Sat, Nov 23, 2019, 10:19 PM UTC

I have such conflicting views on suicide. On the one hand suicidal feelings are often temporary across the grand expanse of life, on the other hand surely there is a better way to handle people that have suffered such hardship than sterile mental hospitals, drugs, and societal shaming.

It's so strange that we're allowed to have Do Not Resuscitate medical necklaces but they're only followed if something outside the person's power caused the trauma.