A question about depression?

Question

There is someone very close to me suffering from deep depression. This person is very attached to me and from the looks of it, it is the primary cause of her depressive state. My question is, am I going to be held responsible if ever she dies?

Answer 1

Please! Do not allow anyone to make you feel responsible for the life of another person! Each one of us is responsible for our own life!

As a friend, your responsibility lies in making sure that your friend is aware of the help that is available for them, tell them that you are there to help and support them, but you cannot be held responsible for the happiness of someone else!! It is up to each one of us to find our own happiness, even if things like depression, illness, or other circumstances seem to be in our way, it is not up to anyone, but up to us to make sure that we find a way to make this world a livable place to be.

As a friend, make sure that she understands this, and that if she feels too overwhelmed to cope with reality, that it is OK to get help! It is available, and it is out there!

If after you have provided her with some outlets for help and support she refuses to get help, then I recommend that you keep in mind that if she does not want to be helped, you cannot force her, and whatever she chooses to do, it will be her own decision
do not let her drag you into the spiral of emotions that this entangles!!

I can tell you for experience as a suicide survivor, that it is no ones fault!! It is wrong to try and make others feel sorry or guilty for your actions! No one should ever be responsible for the decisions of a grown up person!

She is going through a difficult moment, but the best thing you can do is provide her with your love and support as a friend and allow her to understand that emotional blackmail will never change someones feelings!

She needs to talk to someone who is a professional and will help her recover from this emotional state.

If she is contemplating suicide call your local crisis line. They are prepared to handle situations like the one she is going through.

Do not attempt to handle it on your own, and do not feel responsible! Your only responsibility is to make sure that she understands and accepts that she needs help from someone who is more prepared than you to handle her problems at this time.

Good luck, and be strong! The emotional rollercoaster is draining and very dificult, but both, you and her will become stronger and better if you manage to handle this crisis with the right tools!

Answer 2

Ever? That's quite a time frame! Look, if she is currently suicidal or has made ANY comments about taking her own life or wanting it to just end, then you need to do all you can to get her some help. You can never assume someone doesn't mean it. I know some people can be dramatic, but with suicide you can't make that assumption. Watch out for a sudden change in her attitude. If she is suicidal and all of a sudden all in the world is ok and she starts giving away things, she has already made a plan. Call 911 immediately!

Would you consider attending a group session or individual therapy with her? Having someone to talk to outside of the situation might be helpful. Try to find an office that has counselors and psychiatrists.

In the end, you can't control someone else's actions. If you are having this much angst over this, perhaps you should consider a therapist yourself.

Answer 3

First of all, "who" are you worried about holding you responsible? You can't help it if someone dies. If they kill themselves, that's a different story. If you have prior knowledge about someone trying to kill themselves and do nothing about it, that could be considered depraved indifference. If this girl is really suicidal you should talk to the police (call 911) and tell them that she is threatening to kill herself.

Answer 4

You have to get this person to a medical practitioner or a hospital
Depression is a medical condition.YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE
OF YOU DO NOT GET HER TO MEDICAL HELP.