Depression And Suicidal Thoughts

Depression and suicidal thoughts, they often aren't mutually exclusive. At some point in a depression, probably very early on, you're going to have thoughts of suicide.

When you're suicidal, you see things from a different perspective than a regular life loving person. You're incapable of giving much meaning to trivial as well as important matters others value so dearly. In fact, you're highly indifferent to just about anything they shove in front of you.

"What do you think about my new dress?"

"What color should we use for our bed sheet?"

"How do you think we should approach this client?"

"Should we take a mortgage for 20 or 30 years?"

You don't take into account the future. You're thinking short-term, as you probably won't be around for long anymore. It's kind of liberating in a way. Feeling suicidal can actually lead to happiness. There is always a way out, sort of like a hardline seen in The Matrix movie. This can be very motivating in a way.

A lot of people never think about death, as it frightens them beyond measure. It's often a taboo to talk about it. A regular person can't imagine someone wants to die. Therefore they jump to battle stations, hauling arguments long and wide why you shouldn't kill yourself. They're so furious about it, they'll almost kill you themselves.

One argument that I really dread is: "Committing suicide is selfish". I can relate to why people say that, I do. Especially when the depressed person has a lot of responsibilities and is most likely going to cause devastation in the hearts of his family and friends. However, isn't it equally selfish of us bystanders to demand of the suicidal person, who is suffering terribly, to stay around so we personally wouldn't get hurt? We're basically saying: "Well, too bad you're suffering, but you've got to hang in there because we don't like funerals."

When depressed, 'hanging in there' can last a long, long time. It's not like feeling a bit low today and tomorrow it will all be better. Depression can last years. It does not only affect the person in question, but also everyone he comes in contact with. Nobody likes having a depressed person around, they often avoid coming into contact with one, yet society demands he stays alive. Sometimes it's just better to let things go. Isn't there a saying: "If you love someone, set him free"?