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Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

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Re: Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

#41

Post by jarrett »

joesmo wrote: post #19

It's ridiculous that the author doesn't even consider that her taking prescribed Wellbutrin (and possibly other medicines) could have led to this. I'm quite sure such "anti-depressants" (what a misnomer) had a lot more to do with the suicide than anything Penn or any other institution or individual could possibly have. Of course, this is an extremely unpopular opinion, though based on medical cases and evidence, in o…

> I'm quite sure such "anti-depressants" (what a misnomer) had a lot more to do with the suicide than anything Penn or any other institution or individual could possibly have.

Are you basing this claim on the following study?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bupropion#cite_note-FDA-43

I'm not taking a stand on whether that study's conclusions are correct or incorrect. I'm just seeking to clarify how you reached your conclusion.

Regarding that study, Wikipedia states that "Considered in isolation, [Wellbutrin] was not statistically different from placebo." Again, I won't judge the accuracy of Wikipedia's statement. I just wanted to point it out.

Re: Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

#42

Post by tptacek »

carbocation wrote: post #36
tptacek wrote: post #6

Penn’s response? – Sending some administrator to see me in the hospital (HUP). The first and only thing that she said was, “Are we going to make this an annual pattern?” because I had been hospitalized the year before. I said “No” and she gave me her business card. My kids are going to college in a couple of years. How do I avoid sending them to places like this? People expect (and should expect) to be treated better…

I have no affiliation with Penn. However, I would be cautious before accepting the literal words of the story at face value. I accept without reservation that this is how this person perceives the interaction with the administrator. But before accepting that this is how Penn's administrators believe they interacted with the person, or how a third party would perceive the interaction, I'd like more information. Being…

I'm happy to hear other people agree that it's a grave accusation.

Re: Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

#43

Post by meat_fist »

tptacek wrote: post #6

Penn’s response? – Sending some administrator to see me in the hospital (HUP). The first and only thing that she said was, “Are we going to make this an annual pattern?” because I had been hospitalized the year before. I said “No” and she gave me her business card. My kids are going to college in a couple of years. How do I avoid sending them to places like this? People expect (and should expect) to be treated better…

Unless you're the best of the best, or you really care, an ivy-league school isn't going to be great for your quality of life. I know tons of kids that have cracked under the pressures of penn/cornell/etc. Send your kids to smaller, less prestigious school.

Re: Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

#44

Post by glenntnorton »

joesmo wrote: post #19

It's ridiculous that the author doesn't even consider that her taking prescribed Wellbutrin (and possibly other medicines) could have led to this. I'm quite sure such "anti-depressants" (what a misnomer) had a lot more to do with the suicide than anything Penn or any other institution or individual could possibly have. Of course, this is an extremely unpopular opinion, though based on medical cases and evidence, in o…

Agreed. I've been on AD's for over ten years and everyone has to find what works for them. It's not magic. You have to do your homework (if you are in a position to. Some folks aren't). What works for me is Lexapro. I switched to Zoloft 6 months ago because I believe you have to try other options and it was a very ugly, dark time. Just switched back to the Lexapro and I feel great. What works for one doesn't work for the other.

Re: Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

#45

Post by a8da6b0c91d »

mikestew wrote: post #28
joesmo wrote: post #19

It's ridiculous that the author doesn't even consider that her taking prescribed Wellbutrin (and possibly other medicines) could have led to this. I'm quite sure such "anti-depressants" (what a misnomer) had a lot more to do with the suicide than anything Penn or any other institution or individual could possibly have. Of course, this is an extremely unpopular opinion, though based on medical cases and evidence, in o…

I took Wellbutrin back when it was popular to prescribe as an aid to get off nicotine. OMG, what horrible stuff (for me, anyway). I wasn't ready to stick a shotgun in my mouth or anything, but it gave me a severe case of what a friend called "the fuckits". Didn't care about anything (including the consumption of nicotine). I would have been content to sit and do nothing. One day when I had some from free time and the…

It's interesting that very safe chemicals like tianeptine and phenibut are not approved and used clinically in America, as they are in other countries. Instead much more profitable chemicals with known dangers are used.

Re: Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

#46

Post by tptacek »

lutusp wrote: post #39
tptacek wrote: post #6

Penn’s response? – Sending some administrator to see me in the hospital (HUP). The first and only thing that she said was, “Are we going to make this an annual pattern?” because I had been hospitalized the year before. I said “No” and she gave me her business card. My kids are going to college in a couple of years. How do I avoid sending them to places like this? People expect (and should expect) to be treated better…

I suggest that you think a bit more deeply about this. It's possible that the administrator was being thoughtless, but there's another interpretation -- it's a bad idea to give suicide attempters too much attention. By responding with too much sympathy, one can become a "suicide enabler", the suicide equivalent of a narcissistic enabler. If a person threatens suicide and gets nothing but attention and sympathy, this…

I find this sentiment alarming. I'd ask you to reread the article, particularly the first quarter of it, and stipulate that the account is accurate. What do you think of this particular response to an actual suicide attempt?

I'm sorry about your brother. I've lost close friends to suicide. For what it's worth: I don't blame them, anymore than I would blame someone who died of leukemia for their illness. But a suicide has many victims, and I can't blame you for being angry either.

Re: Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

#47

Post by gizmo »

lutusp wrote: post #39
tptacek wrote: post #6

Penn’s response? – Sending some administrator to see me in the hospital (HUP). The first and only thing that she said was, “Are we going to make this an annual pattern?” because I had been hospitalized the year before. I said “No” and she gave me her business card. My kids are going to college in a couple of years. How do I avoid sending them to places like this? People expect (and should expect) to be treated better…

I suggest that you think a bit more deeply about this. It's possible that the administrator was being thoughtless, but there's another interpretation -- it's a bad idea to give suicide attempters too much attention. By responding with too much sympathy, one can become a "suicide enabler", the suicide equivalent of a narcissistic enabler. If a person threatens suicide and gets nothing but attention and sympathy, this…

I'm very sorry you lost people to suicide. Compiling the list may just have been a coping mechanism for your brother, and I don't think it's fair to think it had anything to do with the son's suicide.

Re: Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

#48

Post by kaonashi »

sp332 wrote: post #34
mentalhealth wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Suicidal ideation is, in general, not a choice a person makes. It's the result of a combination of depression and lack of inhibition, due to anything ranging from psychosis to extreme anxiety or stress. If you were sufficiently depressed and stressed from being the last person on Earth, you'd most likely commit suicide.

Exactly, so the statement "I tried to kill myself at Penn because I felt so utterly alone." is probably wrong. I mean it's probably subjectively true, and it's informative, but loneliness probably didn't cause this person to attempt suicide.

That was her description of her subjective experience, but she made it clear that it was most likely due to the stress & anxiety.

Re: Why I Tried To Kill Myself at Penn

#49

Post by moron4hire »

I think a big part of this is "don't go to Penn". It has a bad reputation in Philadelphia in general. I'm not going to get too into detail about what that reputation is[1], but suffice to say, I think OP probably would have a much better time at a different school completely. Even Drexel, which is literally next door to Penn, is nicer in terms of how students are treated and treat each other.

Going to Penn is basically accepting all of the expense and pressure of attending Harvard or Yale, without the prestige. And in my mind, the only reason to put up with the expense of those schools is the prestige. It's not like you can't get a great education at far cheaper schools.

[1] other than to say that the story of the relationship with an emotionally abusive pre-med boyfriend isn't terribly surprising.

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