Why is there a double standard for suicide when one is physically sick v/s emotionally traumatized?

Question

Say you have cancer and you want to end your life, then it is concidered okay to kill oneself. But say one's child dies and then the parent commits suicide, it is concidered cowardly? And why is it concidered cowardly, when it actually takes alot of nerve?

Answer 1

People view it as cowardly because someone generally commits suicide because of mental illness,which is largely misunderstood.
People think that someone commits suicide to escape reality,which is not true.What you are talking about is very extreme,most people that end their life do so because of their mental illness,it doesn't have to be something extreme as losing their child for someone to feel hopeless,it's just the brain isn't functioning rationally.
That being said,I can definitely feel for the situation you mentioned.I have 4 children and if I lost them,I would feel completely lost.

Answer 2

Because we still, despite all our supposed knowledge, consider problems of the mind to be a taboo. I suppose it's because you can't acutally see a mental problem. Could also be that there's a stereotype attached to mental illness, and people think you bring it on yourself, you can get over it if you want to, it's all in your head. It's considered cowardly because you apparently should be able to deal with it, not take the "easy" way out. Most of the people who judge haven't got the faintest idea of what you're going through when you;re contemplating suicide.
My (apparently!) best friend told me my experience of a stillborn daughter wasn't as bad as her going through her son having a cyst on his brain drained, because I didn't know my daughter yet, where her son was 12 months old. Who the hell is she to judge, her son didn't die, he had an operation! So I know that she'd think me a coward because she thinks she's worse off and survived it.
For the same reason that emotional abuse is seen as less traumatic than physical abuse, there is that double standard. Because you can't see the scars. We who have the scars know they're there.

Answer 3

I don't think there is a double standard as you say, I don't hink suicide is justified in any of the situations you comment.

The question is different when we are discussing if a treatment is applicable or not when a person is considered psychically capable determines to reject a treatment. In that case nobody can force him/her to take it. On the other hand if the person is psychically affected (f.e. anorexia or depression) his/her liberty to decide will be put aside and the treatment will be applied

One of the best lessons in my life was taught by a child six years younger than me that was dying of cancer after a long process, the way he accepted his illness and his behavior not to harm his parents was an example for me and radically affected my point of view about things in life

Answer 4

I think people probably understand better when there is a terminal illness because there is no cure. Emotional issues can often be treated with either therapy or medication....besides the ones left behind have to feel like they could have or should have done something in those cases. Physical sickness is out of their hands.

Answer 5

first things first, it does not take a lot of nerve to kill yourself. It takes desperation, it's a loud call for help. there are suicide hot lines for this. a lot of times it is a vitamin deficiency and maybe someone is having trouble feeding and clothing themselves. I think that is why if someone acts very down in our neighborhood or at work we should all talk to people see if maybe we could pay a light bill for someone. so you're out a 100.00, you could restore someone's health, or offer that money for grocery's. I can't judge people, but I think we are the cowards for not getting involved. Too we could offer helping someone make it to a councilor's office, or some help somewhere. But take a friend, to get involved, and tell others what your plan is, with today's weirdo's who know what someone is capable of...good luck...and no, it is not o.k. to kill yourself...no one is trash and disposable...

Answer 6

Mental and emotional trauma can be treated with the correct medical care and attention. If someone is dying of their physical illness, and there is no chance of recovery and their life has no quality because of pain, then there is little else the doctors can do, so euthanasia is an option for people who wish to take that path.

Answer 7

I wouldn't consider it cowardly, the devestation of losing a child would be equalent to a literal "broken heart". It is the only option for some people, it's all that is left to do!!

Answer 8

I wholeheartedly agree...

I think it's society that thinks that if you're gonna die soon anyway and you're in a lot of pain then it's merciful... but if you're fit and healthy then you can still go to work and make money and pay taxes.
They think if you're ill then you have no choice but suicide is a choice and if they can convince you not to do it, then governments can still make money out of you.
Sadly I think the suicide debate is all about money.

Answer 9

coz in d cases such as Cancer u r going to die anyway[and go thru a lot of pain].But 4 a mentally traumatized person,der is always hope and help.You could consult psychologist or counselor or a life-coach.And where a life can be saved why kill it??