How many have suffered from depression and contemplated suicide at least once?

[MoonRiver]

I think DU is fairly representative of humanity at large. It's important to know what impact depression really has on our lives.

28 votes, 0 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I've suffered from depression but never contemplated suicide.
	5 (18%)
	I've suffered from depression and contemplated suicide once or twice.
	8 (29%)
	I've suffered from depression and contemplated suicide on many occasions.
	11 (39%)
	It is a constant battle to deal with my depression and overwhelming urges to commit suicide.
	4 (14%)
	Other
	0 (0%)
	0 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[CBGLuthier]

1. Monthly, I even tried it once.

Fortunately the muscle relaxers I took were not strong enough to kill. Nowadays I just let the time pass until the despair improves. My cycles can be fairly rapid so it never lasts beyond a day or so until I bounce back to stability and then the wee bit manic. That's when i get things down and then ride it back down again.

For thirty plus years I self medicated but that time is past.

[MoonRiver]

2. It's a very tough disease.

(((CBGLuthier)))

[CBGLuthier]

5. Yes. I have a cousin who is ten times worse. Bipolar of the delusional kind.

He is medicated but unable to really function within society. The Bush years were hard as hell on him.

[MoonRiver]

6. Yes, much worse. Has he been institutionalized?

[CBGLuthier]

20. No, not yet, thank goodness, I guess.

But he was a real go-getter as a young man and then had his own business for a decade or so but has been unable to even support himself for the last 15 years or more. Of all my cousins he was the one I spent the most time with, he even lived with me for a few summers while going to college so it is more personally tragic but we march on.

[enough]

14. That's one advantage of getting older. You finally learn that it does pass.

Even though you can't believe it will pass when you are in the depths of it. And even though you also know it will come again.

[MoonRiver]

15. So true.

[bigwillq]

3. During the "coming out" process

I was confused, depressed and considered suicide. I don't believe I would ever go through with it, but I did think about it.

[Rex]

4. Suffered from clinical depression in my early 20s.

[BainsBane]

7. Is there nothing people won't make a poll about?

Where's the option for none of your business?

[MoonRiver]

8. It's called the ignore button.

[BainsBane]

9. Sure, except for the fact this is now public informaiton

for the cavers and anyone else who wants to get into people's business for nefarious purposes.

I can ingore any thread. That's not the point. My objection has nothing to do with being offended.

[MoonRiver]

12. A lot of people are responding to this thread as they have to many other similar threads on DU

after Robin Williams death. Nobody is forcing anybody to reply.

[enough]

11. The option is don't reply. (nt)

[HERVEPA]

28. Can't believe it. I'm actually agreeing with BainesBain!!!

[begin_within]

10. Contemplating suicide was more about pain than depression

[MoonRiver]

13. Wondering if they are synonymous.

[begin_within]

36. Not for me

Emotional pain was intense and overwhelming but not constant. Depression was more subtle, but constant.

[polly7]

16. My Dad did it.

I was the one to find him and though it's been devastating thinking of the torment he went through in his mind to make that decision, I completely understood it. He had just found out his illness was probably terminal and didn't want to put us through it, he was probably the strongest man, mentally, I've ever known ... if that makes sense. Depression and ptsd is something I've struggled with for many, many years and though I have thought many times just how much I needed it all to end, knowing what those left behind go through helps to keep those thoughts at bay. Also, with the ambulance I've seen more than I ever thought I would, and always .... the families are left in unimaginable pain. So, peace to Robin Williams, I'm so sad for his torment and pain, and eventual peace for those left behind.

[MoonRiver]

17. So sorry polly for what you've gone through

[polly7]

18. Thanks, MoonRiver

I'm doing a bit better lately, but this just knocked the wind out of me when I read about it here ... as I'm sure it did for most. Really knowing that pain is so hard, but I do think it's good to talk about it.

[MoonRiver]

19. I think talking about it is the only way to finally get through the pain.

Of course, many need medication, at least temporarily, but that won't fix the underlying issue.

[jen63]

21. My husband did it.

I took our 16 month old son to breakfast on a Sunday morning. We were gone for 45 minutes. His best friend pulled in behind me when we got home. I was holding our son when we found him. I keep this in a box in my mind most of the time now. Though when it happened, I was obsessed with "why". Through the years, the "why" has become he was bipolar and in a psychotic state, with no mental health support. I rarely open the box, as it just brings the pain back in a huge wave. It doesn't help that his family thought that I had something to do with it. Robin has opened the box for me. Such an incredible loss.

[MoonRiver]

25. So, so sorry for your loss

[jen63]

34. Thank you MoonRiver,

It was a long time ago, but something that's never forgotten. When I actually take it out of the box, the pain and shock are as real as the day it happened. That's why I have the box.

[polly7]

29. I'm so, so sorry jen63.

What a terrible shock for you all. I'm so glad you know you weren't the reason.

Peace and healing.

[jen63]

33. Thank you polly7,

I'm sorry for your's as well. It is the ultimate shock to the psyche, isn't it? Surreal for sure. If I would have blamed myself, I wouldn't have survived. I had enough people blaming me; and I had a son to care for. Happily he's grown up to be an incredibly well adjusted, compassionate, responsible person. I couldn't be a prouder mother.

[snooper2]

22. DU is not representative of humanity at large

Not by a long shot-

[leftstreet]

24. +1

[LordGlenconner]

26. +1

I have to admit when I read that line in the OP (which is valid and worth discussing) I nearly spit my soda all over the screen.

[el_bryanto]

23. Both on a regular basis. nt

[Chan790]

27. I chose other.

I don't think it's constructive or beneficial to ask the question using any platform that does not allow anonymous voting. There is a stigma attached to the admission of such and I don't want to see anybody suffer negative ramifications of this admission.

I'm merely going ask that anybody answering "I've suffered from depression and contemplated suicide once or twice.", "I've suffered from depression and contemplated suicide on many occasions." or "It is a constant battle to deal with my depression and overwhelming urges to commit suicide." seek help. There is treatment and it can make a real difference...but only if you avail yourself of it.

[DotGone]

30. I think about it everyday

as there's no reason for me to stick around.

[likesmountains 52]

35. I am truly sorry that you feel that way.

And, I don't usually post in threads like this. Your reply just gut punched me.

[COLGATE4]

31. When I was young one of my bosses, a man

of some 55 told me that any man over 50 who says he never thought about suicide was a liar. Now that I'm considerably older than 55 I tend to agree with him.

[kysrsoze]

32. When I was 12. Wouldn't consider it now. Reason being...

No matter how depressed I ever got, I couldn't do that to my wife and kids... or my extended family... or my friends. Not that I always coped in the best way, but I always tried to put them ahead of my personal issues. The biggest thing that I've learned us to be truly grateful with what I have.

I honestly have a hard time reconciling my love for the people around me with such an intense, self-destructive nature I see in some others. But maybe I just don't know how deep you can sink. Either way, it's very depressing and sqmad to think about.