News Doctor-Assisted Death For Those Living With Ptsd

[oasis2003]

Yes on a bad day where do I sign And some one is there to help Hurray.
But seriously if some one wants to end their life for no reason they need help but not to kill themselves, to get therapy and help. Mental illnesses can be treated and healed these days.

 

[reallydown]

I haven't read the whole thread but...I seriously doubt our new justice minister is going to include people with mental illness in the bill (yes, it's one of the recommendations but I have a feeling she won't go for it. I could be wrong...but even if she did, there would be very strict criteria...It wouldn't be that easy. That's my two cents anyway). Also, I think this gov't is more serious about genuinely creating a better mental health strategy not least because the PM knows first hand what it's like to live with someone with mental illness etc. Unfortunately, they have a lot of cleanup to do from the previous gov't so it will take time.

 

[Deleted member 31177]

I am all for assisted suicide after having some deep Psychological testing done to be sure this is what you want. I would do it in a second, but NEVER until all my cats have passed and I would NEVER, EVER hurt ANY of my beautiful babies. They saved me from it years ago when i was walking out the door and I turned around to say good-bye to them, then started talking with them and just started sobbing, realizing how much I loved my beloved cats and always will. I had my neighbors care for my cats instead and went to a special Hospital for 3.5 weeks instead.

But I'm all for assisted suicide (for myself, as long as my cats have all passed). I have no one else I'm leaving behind - no family.

People should have CHOICE! Especially if they suffer not only from PTSD side-effects, but also from chronic-acute pain every single day - period!!

 

[LisawithPTSD]

I don't know about you guys but, for me, the pain of PTSD when I'm in an episode that lasts for days is like continual electrocution. Every nerve ending is is pain. I often equate it to the immense pain of having your body completely skinned and bathed in alcohol or set on fire. I can't stop it. When I'm out of it, I'm glad suicide didn't take but when I'm in it, and it happens pretty freaking regularly, it is the most intense pain. Considering brains with PTSD are often permanently changed into this state makes it a physical ailment as much as emotional. In my opinion. Open to being wrong.

 

[LisawithPTSD]

Exactly. Degenerative diseases, which PTSD is not, get progressively worse. PTSD, when treated, historically...

PTSD is like a gas leak without treatment--it does get worse. I, myself, have complex PTSD and have gone a long time without being diagnosed, so it has been very difficult to treat. My brain is certainly so altered that its difficult to function from day to day most of the time. Now I have have intrusive thoughts almost like Turrets. Its so debilitating.Treatment helps but I've been battling so long I feel I'll never be cured, just held at bay for a few hours, maybe days.

I other words, I can see myself considering this at some point in my life. Maybe many times.

 

[Deleted member 31177]

I'm not sure my chronic acute pain comes from my diagnosed PTSD as I have Degenerative Bone Disease in my neck, left hip and lower back, a serious case of GERD, Hiatal Hernia, Colitis (since I was 19), I herniated two of my discs in my back years ago, but they still hurt often and sometimes go out; knee and ankle sports injury from College and believe it or not, about 5 years ago I somehow started nighttime bedwetting and it's bad. The Urologist tried so many medicines on me and nothing worked so I gave up. I can't afford the share of cost anymore for any doctor. But I'm not certain that my PTSD is related to my physical pain, except my stomach and heart pain when I'm triggered - and that's often when I start rocking myself and holding on to my stomach and often disassociate. What a safe place that is, too!

 

[joeylittle]

Treatment helps but I've been battling so long I feel I'll never be cured, just held at bay for a few hours, maybe days.

I'm curious, what treatment options for your PTSD have you pursued?

One of the issues with PTSD seems to be the inconsistent treatment strategies. Whenever someone is at the real end of their rope, I find myself wanting to ask if they have tried both prolonged exposure (PE) therapy and EMDR, concurrently with a strict CBT or DBT regimen.

I'm not saying you haven't, @LisawithPTSD - just wondering if you have.

 

[Knak]

It depends on whether a person has faith that all living creatures are created in love by God. With faith comes the hope of an eternal destiny with no more tears. I can't even say with certainty that animals should be put down. I don't see the difference in their suffering vs. a human's suffering. I think it's a philosophical questions that has no answer. I believe hospice patients are given lethal doses of morphine out of compassion.

Satan's desire is that men die without knowing Christ.

No matter how appealing it could be, if legitimized the debate would infiltrate endless arenas and the value of life would become a moot issue.

People administering the procedure can be traumatized, or hardened to where life doesn't matter to them. It would affect how they treat others or their own children. Those addicted to killing could have a field day and it could add to the population of killers. It pretty much seems like a downward spiral.

I have wanted to die since I was ten and am just waiting it out. Life has been a horrible roller coaster. My mother told me if you commit suicide you go to hell and even though it's not true I think it got stuck deep down in my brain, same as if you get a divorce you go to hell.

However study of the brain has finally come into it's own so it's kind of a waste to speculate now since so much will be discovered.

 

[Calling on Angels]

I am glad we are having this discussion but it makes me so sad. PTSD is not a "mental illness" we are born with. You take a perfectly healthy person/child and expose then to unspeakable horror and they develop PTSD. We were each born healthy and we owe it to ourselves to find the way back to our core self-before we were hurt.
Call me whatever but I still have hope for each and every one of us. We deserve it. Suicide lets them win. We take away any chance of getting back some pleasure in this world. One of the greatest barriers to healing is the response to our hurt. We respond by isolating, hiding as if we are still anticipating our perpetrator may walk through the door. What heals PTSD suffers is connection, safety and community. Our "reptile brain " tells us to pull back when what we need is feeling safely connected to others. What has happened to us is beyond tragic words. It takes such courage to sometimes even get out of bed in the morning. Sometimes it is a half of step at a time but I am still moving forward. I use alot of meditation, I use brainspotting -which is very helpful and I work on my spiritual life everyday.

 

[Tinyflame]

I think we actually contend with so much every day (at lest when symptomatic) that we don't give ourselves credit for that part. The likelihood (JMHO) increases adding more negatives or losing anything to keep us here. A lot is pain too I think, emotional, physical.

 

[Knak]

A lot is pain too I think, emotional, physical

The pain is the killer. Constant, unbearable, drive myself crazy trying to find the way out of the maze. I am not speaking to ethics of suicide but it is the motivating factor to think of it for me. I have to settle with just waiting to die, but in the mean-time I sure have a lot of unintended accidents that I feel are my anger and pain directing itself at me creating more likelihood it could happen.

 

[Tinyflame]

I've never thought of that @Knak . Best if possible to find how to enjoy life rather than count it down. :hug: