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Showing Original Post only (View all)Guardian UK - Robin Williams's Death: A Reminder that Suicide and Depression Are Not Selfish [View all]
http://www.theguardian.com/science/brain-flapping/2014/aug/12/robin-williams-suicide-and-depression-are-not-selfishRobin Williams's death: a reminder that suicide and depression are not selfish
News of Robin Williamss death due to apparent suicide, said to be a result of suffering severe depression, is terribly sad. But to say taking your own life because of such an illness is a selfish act does nothing but insult the deceased, potentially cause more harm and reveal a staggering ignorance of mental health problems
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If you are such a person who has expressed these views or similar for whatever reason, heres why youre wrong, or at the very least misinformed, and could be doing more harm in the long run.
Depression IS an illness
Depression, the clinical condition, could really use a different name. At present, the word depressed can be applied to both people who are a bit miserable and those with a genuine debilitating mood disorder. Ergo, it seems people are often very quick to dismiss depression as a minor, trivial concern. After all, everyone gets depressed now and again, dont they? Dont know why these people are complaining so much.
Ive said it before, and Ill say it again; dismissing the concerns of a genuine depression sufferer on the grounds that youve been miserable and got over it is like dismissing the issues faced by someone whos had to have their arm amputated because you once had a paper cut and it didnt bother you. Depression is a genuine debilitating condition, and being in a bit of a funk isnt. The fact that mental illness doesnt receive the same sympathy/acknowledgement as physical illness is often referenced, and its a valid point. If you havent had it, you dont have the right to dismiss those who have/do. You may disagree, and thats your prerogative, but there are decades worth of evidence saying youre wrong.
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Depression is not logical
If were being optimistic, it could be said that most of those describing suicide from depression as selfish are doing so from a position of ignorance. Perhaps they think that those with depression make some sort of table or chart with the pros and cons of suicide and, despite the pros being far more numerous, selfishly opt for suicide anyway?
This is, of course, nonsensical. One of the main problems with mental illness is that is prevents you from behaving or thinking normally (although what that means is a discussion for another time). A depression sufferer is not thinking like a non-sufferer in the same way that someone whos drowning is not breathing air like a person on land is. The situation is different. From the sufferers perspective, their self-worth may be so low, their outlook so bleak, that their families/friends/fans would be a lot better off without them in the world, ergo their suicide is actually intended as an act of generosity? Some might find such a conclusion an offensive assumption, but it is no more so than accusations of selfishness.
The selfish accusation also often implies that there are other options the sufferer has, but has chosen suicide. Or that its the easy way out. There are many ways to describe the sort of suffering that overrides a survival instinct that has evolved over millions of years, but easy isnt an obvious one to go for. Perhaps none of it makes sense from a logical perspective, but insisting on logical thinking from someone in the grips of a mental illness is like insisting that someone with a broken leg walks normally; logically, you shouldnt do that.
Stephen Fry, in his interview on Richard Herrings podcast, had a brilliant explanation about how depression doesnt make you think logically, or automatically confide in friends and family. I wont spoil it by revealing it here, but I will say it involves genital warts.
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Guardian UK - Robin Williams's Death: A Reminder that Suicide and Depression Are Not Selfish [View all]
Hissyspit
Aug 2014
OP
"I know that they have a lack of empathy that borders on its own pathology"
LordGlenconner
Aug 2014
#20
suicide is antithetical to selfishness as it illustrates anything but care to oneself.
LanternWaste
Aug 2014
#18
why is their temporary pain more important than his life-time of pain?
passiveporcupine
Aug 2014
#28
I'm very sorry for your loss and your Grandmother's (in-law?) pain and loss
passiveporcupine
Aug 2014
#33
Suicide is not selfish. It is the result of someone being in such overwhelming pain they can no...
EEO
Aug 2014
#23
I once had myself convinced suicide was the logical thing to do. I mean totally.
brewens
Aug 2014
#30