This is quite sensitive, if somebody tries to commit suicide and they survive do they need to seek help??

Question

Seriously does this person need help even though the outcome opened their eyes and everything is on even keel taking ant-depressants but not counselling.

Answer 1

Yes they need help as soon as possible. It has been called a cry for help which is not a strong enough description but something is not just right in their world and they can't sort it out themselves.
Get them help as I know from experience what the result can be like.
God bless. I'll be thinking of you.

Answer 2

Definitely get help; anti-depressants deal with the symptoms of depression not the causes. It's important for the person to find out why they felt the need to commit suicide and so avoid feeling that way again.

They need help to deal with past issues and be able to feel positive and be autonomous, looking to the future. They may think they're on an even keel now, but similar circumstances may occur again, causing a similar response i.e. feeling there's no way out but to end it all. Psychotherapy or counselling would be helpful, preferably individual help. If there's a waiting list, a support group may be useful in the meantime.

Answer 3

The short answer is yes, they do need to seek help.

The Samaritans are the accessible specialists, outside the establishment medical system, on advising people with suicide problems. Get the person concerned to ring them. If they are unwilling to do so try to find a professional involved and raise the issue (remember they will not discuss confidential matters with a third party).

You say that anti-depressants have got things onto an even keel. It is good that anti-depressants can do this, but it is also a problem. If the person concerned is so depressed that they have tried to commit suicide, there are two likely possibilities. Firstly, they may be in, at least to them, intolerable circumstances that they don't know how to cope with. In which case they need somebody to at least "hold their hand" to see them into a tolerable situation. Secondly (and less likely), there may be something physically wrong with the person, e.g. a chemical imbalance in the brain, which makes them liable to depression (and probably other problems). In this case the person will probably always need medication, but will also need continuing help to manage their lives to stop problems occuring and to ensure that the consequences do not seriously harm them or others.

In other words, anti-depressants cure the symptoms, not the problem. Sadly, there are more very unhappy people out there than medical resources, and overwhelmed doctors are liable to rely on the quick and easy fix of antidpressants. You may have to press for better.

I would not assume that counselling is the extra that is needed to drugs. For instance, rather than a counsellor to pour out one's woes to the need may be for some quite specific resource, like perhaps resolution of a housing issue, that a social worker could arrange (not that I always care much for busy-body social workers).

Finally, if one is depressed, it is important to meet people and to do things. One benefit of a counsellor is simply that it ensures the person has a regular contact with another. But is there anything that can be done in terms of say joining a club, going to church if one has appropriate beliefs, or even just arranging regular chats to a neighbour?

All the best. I hope this gets sorted.

Answer 4

Anti-depressants are sometimes an effective temporary (or maybe permanent) measure, but the underlying reasons for the suicide attempt need addressing with a counsellor, psychologist or even a psychiatrist.
To be driven to attempt suicide, the reasons are very powerful for that person or there may be a medical condition contributing to it.
Some people who survive suicide can feel they have failed even that, believe it or not. Which could revive the vicious cycle going on in their mind.
And others begin to feel 'normal' again on their medication and decide to go off it, feel they don't need it any more, only to discover that the overwhelming feelings, which lead to their depressive feelings well up again.
Sometimes you can't work everything out on your own and there is absolutely no shame in seeking help. I reckon the person who seeks help is to be admired. It is not a sign of weakness.
Good luck - if it is you.
Support them - if it's someone you know.

Answer 5

I personally tried to commit suicide 4 times when i was a teenager, not 1 was successful, obviously. I was also a self harmer, I would cut, burn, and scratch myself to relieve the pain i felt inside.

After each attempt i would feel normal again but they feelings that caused me to make an attempt to take my own life where there, buried but there all the same. I self harmed for years and still have the inclination to do so.

I was offered anti deprresants and such but they wheren't for me as i wasn't deppressed just lonelyand in need to get what was in out. I finally got help through counselling and this lasted for as long as i needed it. To speak to a stranger and tell them your innermost secrets is the scariest thing i have ever done but it was the oulet I needed. Family are great but they never get to know or hear about the real you a counseller can and doesnt judge.

For this person to take anti depressants without discovering first what made them feel so alone and worthless as to attempt suicide, to me, is dangerous. Once off them they feelings will reoccur maybe not right away but they will still be there festering away unless dealt with.

Hope this is of help xx

Answer 6

The outcome may have opened their eyes, but inlikely that it has given them a full understanding of their depression. The depression will stem from issues that need to be addressed. Counselling can be an effective method and should be recommended.

Anti-depressants are not a solution to depression; they are a method of treating the symptoms. The root cause still needs to be addressed. Taking anti-depressants can allow the person to be in the right place to start to address the issues through counselling.

Answer 7

I'd say they need to seek help to discover the reasons that brought them to that decision. Anti-depressants are helpful to an extent but they can mask the problem as opposed to dealing with it. My friend tried to commit suicide and had to see a psychiatrist before she was allowed to leave the hospital. There are agencies that offer counselling or they could even approach their GP. They're lucky to have a friend like you that cares enough to realise that medication is often not enough. I'd push them to seek further help and resolve the issues once and for all. Good luck x

Answer 8

There are two basic categories of failed suicide:

1. Those who fully intend to take their life, but did something wrong or got discovered before they died.

2. Those who are seeking attention.

The first category of people need serious help immediately as they are likely to try again almost immediately. The second category also need help, but not so much to preserve their life, but rather more to seek out the root cause of depression that had led to this course of action.

In either case, professional psychiatric help should be sought immediately. Medication may be part of the treatment, but cannot cure problems alone.

Answer 9

even if their eyes have been opened i feel it would be beneficial to receive help.

i attempted suicide and survived. my second night in hospital i felt great, and thought i had my life all sorted out. that was February, and i'm still clinically depressed, and thinking about ways to die etc...

even though therapy or councilling may not be entirely necessary, it would keep the person on track. and also means if their fram of mind does slip slightly, the help is already in place. therefore the problems can be solved before the person self-mutilates or attempts suicide again.

Answer 10

If they are taking anti-depressants they must have received medical help and if they are on an even keel then I wouldn't butt in. If they did not get the anti-depressants from a doctor then they definitely need professional help