Ok, so answer me this ... how do you sleep at night when you know someone is taking active measures to kill themselves? Not the I'm gonna swallow this bottle of pills if you don't pay attention to me or I've got a razor kind of active measures, but the kind that slowly, but actively work to end your life in a purposeful fashion.
For example - elderly, depressed, and on a hunger strike. Today is day 11.
Literally no food. Just water and sugar free candy by the handfuls. Oh, and hourly diarrhea for good measure.
Somehow I want to respect a person's decision not to fight but I can't really accept that is what is going on here.
He's lost his wife and his asshole son is living with him now. Frankly, I could understand him wanting to die. But if you were in a reasonable state of mind and really wanted to die, why would you continue to take your medicines?
I can accept not sticking a bunch of tubes in him or landing him back in the hospital again but to not do anything? Family members in the house, day after day, saying there is nothing they can do. It just makes me sick inside. And of course, people are angry with me for wanting to help him. But what else is new?
In my world - this man is very depressed, living in the house where his wife died, not thinking clearly. That does not make standing by while he gives up something I can really accept.
How about you?
Posted by Princess Cat at July 14, 2007 09:32 AM @ 09:32 AM in Drama // Permalink | TrackBackI think you've unwittingly found yourself in the role of caregiver to the world. It's a difficult situation because it seems like you're the only clearheaded person on the planet. I mean, what do you do? Force-feed him or drag him to a therapist? Call the Department of Aging? Come to think of it, the last one's not a bad idea. It's all such a cry for help, but if his grandest goal is to be with his wife again, even divine intervention isn't going to stop it. But how do you walk away from it when you feel like there's something left to be done?
Posted by: dawn at July 14, 2007 11:10 AMI'm so sorry. It's difficult (really impossible) to figure out what to say without knowing the people involved personally. Then again this stuff was never my strong suit. *sigh*
In my experience - no one ever listens to me. Ever. I wish there was advice that I could give that would help. Maybe someone with greater success in dealing with people will have something for you. In the meantime {{{HUGS}}} it's very hard to watch as people do this to themselves.
Posted by: Teresa at July 14, 2007 11:12 AMIn my world - this man is very depressed, living in the house where his wife died, not thinking clearly. That does not make standing by while he gives up something I can really accept.
As Teresa says, it's hard to know. But I perhaps you should look into the local Department of Aging (or whatever they call it where he lives). If he truly is not competent or in need of mental health care, then they will ensure he gets the help he needs.
*Hugs to you, my dear*
Posted by: FbL at July 14, 2007 10:57 PMDang....it's human nature to want to help someone in that state. I'd also want to ...but then family members only serve to make it much more difficult.
Sorry one has to go through this...
Posted by: Slick at July 15, 2007 08:26 AMPrayer. Lots of prayer. It's the only thing you can do and it's the only thing that could help.
Posted by: Ogre at July 16, 2007 10:12 AM