What drives people to do this ?

[herthab]

(and for the record, i don't think it's a selfish thing to do in any circumstances)

Try telling that to the children, parents, spouses of someone who commits suicide.

[spacey]

I suffer from the usual depression from time to time, when work's going down the shitter, or my love life is in free-fall, or I think about being in my mid 40's with not much to look forward to!

But then I tell myself I'm a pathetic twat and to pull myself together!

That's not pathetic. It sounds like you've got good reason to be depressed

[herthab]

That's not pathetic. It sounds like you've got good reason to be depressed

Did I mention I was bald as well?

(Better book an appointment and get a prescription asap)

[sonicyouth]

Try telling that to the children, parents, spouses of someone who commits suicide.

what? i didn't say it wasn't a horrible thing to go through for those left behind.

[Arriba]

i reckon more people would take their own life if it wouldn't ruin the lives of those they would leave behind.

[herthab]

what? i didn't say it wasn't a horrible thing to go through for those left behind.

No you said it wasn't a selfish thing to do, which it obviously is. I'm not castigating those that do it, as their lives (To them at any rate) are so bad that they can only see one way out.
But it is a selfish thing to do.

[red socks]

No you said it wasn't a selfish thing to do, which it obviously is. I'm not castigating those that do it, as their lives (To them at any rate) are so bad that they can only see one way out.
But it is a selfish thing to do.

I don't think it can be defined as selfish, their not doing it for their own benefit, its just desperation, the state someone must be in to attempt suicide must obviousy be unbearable, but if you have young kids its simply terrible, hence the truly tragic cases where people have killed young children as well.

Its all down to the stigma around mental health that means that people don't feel safe admitting to having any mental problems in the same way they would a physical one. That is what needs to change.

[herthab]

Definition of selfish: looking after own desires: concerned with your own interests, needs, and wishes while ignoring those of others.

Sounds selfish to me.

As I said before, I'm not judging anyone but killing yourself must be one of the most selfish things a person can do.

[sonicyouth]

it's not consciously a selfish decision though, i guess

[herthab]

it's not consciously a selfish decision though, i guess

No, I would guess in most cases you're right. Especially if they were suffering from clinical depression, or another form of mental illness.

[leefer]

My mother and father both had severe depresion...it was the main reason i was braught up in care homes...my mother had the electronic treatmeat that zapped the brain....it was meant to kill the brain tissue the docs THAUGHT was the effected area....it was stopped when in reality they found out that it dulled the brain so much that the bad effects outdid the good....is it hereditary ime not sure...i have had some real low times but have learnt how to deal with it without medication....unfortuanatly my sister has very severe bouts of it that makes me think it may be passed down...i know as soon as i wake up if ime going to have a low period and deal with it by just concentrating on getting through the day and not worrying about yesterday or tomorow...if i feel the same the next morning i repeat the process..............

[Simon Pieman]

It's because we've twinned with Bridgend.

I've been to Bridgend this week and live in Swindon and I haven't hanged myself yet.