Do you think people who commit suicide or make an attempt are being selfish?

Question

My sisters husband tried to OD on her meds in the bathroom where their son found him layed out with his eyes rolling behind his head....i feel if he was that desperate to take his life it should've been somewhere where his 4 yr old son wouldn't be able to recover him am i wrong???He's not just destroying his life he's destroying my sisters and his other kids lives

Answer 1

I can see you are angry, which is understandable, the people you love were hurt and you want validation for those feelings. Truth is ..this is not about you. Yet you can be a powerful tool in the solving of this problem.

That is very sad. Suicide is predictable and the family saw it coming if they noticed. He needs serious medical help.

He is not of sound mind- a loving person would never traumatize a child on purpose. Or act in such a "selfish" manner. All problems are temporary and he can't see that. Its "not" a logical choice, you must understand that.

Step back- step outside of that anger. Regroup and surround the family with love and listen without adding insults or negative comments. Be patient and understanding. You do not have to forgive him, yet you must move on to help the whole family heal.

He does need to be held responsible for the actions. Let the professional do that. It is very clear that he and his wife are not "well".

The facts- he chose her meds in their common bathroom in their family home- is a neon sign. the family unit is "sick".
All members need help ASAP. If you want to help, then learn those same educational tools and be there to support them.

Mental illness is a keen to diabetes. Its runs in the family and is treatable or manageable with the right education, medication and most of all life changes.

Let's just be thankful that he is alive and the children will have the chance to have a healthy parent in the future. Let's hope his spouse can heal and maybe this is the "wake up" call that makes their life wonderful.

Answer 2

Sadly people get to a stage where they feel it is their only option. They do not realize there is another way. Depression is such a misunderstood illness and often the root is not treated, rather a doctor will just give medication for the symptoms. Yes the act of committing suicide is deemed as selfish because those who are left behind have to pick up the pieces of a life that has been wasted. God gave us the gift of life, to be cherished.

Answer 3

Suicide and depression are selfish BUT if you think about it, A person who is severely ill with any disease pulls inward and can only see their pain, be it emotional or physical, the pain is so all encompassing that they cannot think about others.

The image is almost of the wounded animal who curls up in a ball off by themselves to heal. A person with major emotional issues is like that. They cannot see past their pain. They are not being selfish on purpose.

Answer 4

I wouldn't classify suicide as a selfish act. It is an act that is carried out by a very ill person. People who want to terminate their lives do not think of consequences or what's next. They don't think of who'll suffer after they are gone. They don't see things beyond their own depression. They don't even think that suicide means death. They only see this as an end to their suffering, as an escape from the reality they don't want to live in.
A person that attempts suicide needs professional help and family and friend's support.

Answer 5

Yes, you're right it should've been somewhere else.
But people who try to kill themselves are usually hurting so much emotionally and sometimes physically, that they can't thinkg straight.

I don't think suicide is always a selfish act for everyone. It's usually one of desperation and no hope, and the person doesn't see a way out.

Answer 6

Oh hell yeah!
Like you said; in the bathroom where his son found him....he didn't want to die, he wanted someone to find him.
Think about it. All the ways to discreetly and quickly do away one's self, and this is his choice?
I had an aquaintance who killed himself over a DUI. Drove out to the desert and carbon monoxided himself. At dawn, no less. Knowing what I did of this person, I think he expected to be found. I'm sure he was thinking how sorry everyone would be when he was gone.
Maybe I can't relate because I've never been quite so far down that I couldn't comprehend anything but my own little miseries.

Answer 7

It is very selfish. My Uncle committed suicide and it devastated my Mother.
True, I myself have considered it at times, but I would never do it unless it could in someway save someone I care about.
It is also very weak of someone to just give up and blow their brains out, slit wrists/throat, overdose, or any of the countless ways to do it. Because life is harder top live then it is to just kill yourself.
I see life as a fight, and even if I don’t win, I won’t go down without a fight.

Answer 8

i dont think it's selfish. i think its more self involved. in my opinion, when you take life into your own hands u are only looking at things thru your point of view and not the big picture. in the grand scheme of things i think we all belong and have a purpose on this earth and should not take interrupt our existence on here.

but then again i am not to judge. u never know what goes thru the mind of someone with that mindset.
i wish well for your family.

Answer 9

Suicide is definitely a selfish act but it is carried out by someone who needs help. I hope your brother-in-law gets help and I hope that the 4 year old went to counselling as well.

Answer 10

People who commit suicide are usually severely depressed; I know because I used to suffer from severe depression.