Suicide, has anyone ever contemplated it as an end to this "BEAST" Meniere's?

Strikes a chord with me too. Someone in my family attempted suicide last week, it is very scary and leaves emotional scars on everyone! Agree with Bergie on this one...they need professional intervention and treatment! Talking with people can help to some degree, but professional help should always be sought and recommended!

 

.

 

Well, lets see.
I WORK on the terminal ward alot, have for more than half my life, so I dont need to go see anyone to hear any uplifting stories. A time or two I was the next one into the room after the doctor came in and told patients they had a few months to live. I have had to handle that and I might say, I have done it well.
Dianna knows what I mean. You can offer sympathy and be supportive but for a professional to be effective you have to distance yourself somewhat or you cant be effective. I DONT, that I know of, have terminal illness, but I do have Meniere's symptoms that are scary to deal with, that I struggle with. This is what is going on in MY life and its hard enough to get thru sometimes without giving myself a guilt trip because my reactions might be all out of proportions to the seriousness of my illness-- in someones elses opinion.
Suicide? I have had passive wishes of not wanting to be here but never anything more than that. I have enough Meniere's related pills (Xanax, Klonopin) to put myself out forever but as many have said, they could not do that to their family. I think my psychiatrist diagnosed, clinical depression in the recent past
was triggered by my Meniere's. But I have gotten counseling and am on an antidepressant and am better with that. I cry sometimes and I think that helps.
My hopes are that whether or not my Meniere's gets better, my handling of it will
and thats a big part of the battle.
It is interesting, some peoples reaction to this thread. What are they afraid of?
I saw it and read out of curiosity, mostly to see if I could offer some encouraging words--but the thread didnt scare me.
Who said talk about suicide wont hurt a healthy mind--I believe thats true!
I reached out to someone here one day about a month ago--I was really scared about the way I was feeling and we PM ed back and forth and it meant the world
to me that someone who knew this situation would support me and was keeping me in thought. Maybe it wasnt a suicide situation but it was despair and fright--
and I got the support I needed and will be forever grateful.
Notice a lot of the replies on this thread are positive, uplifting--let the newbies read!
Down with censorship!!!!!!

 

I think there are different degrees of depression. Those who do reach out have not sunk to the lowest point in my opinion, they are still looking for hope. But for those who have sunk beyond that point, I think they close up entirely and lose all hope.

 

Amen

 

There was an English Menierian lad, a poster on this site, who committed suicide the first year that I was on this site, about 7 years ago. I found the experience to be surreal, disturbing, and disorientating.

My feeling is that any illness, including Meniere’s, when added to a simmering brew of despair, can be the final ingredient that just might lure someone to sip from the goblet of death.

As for me, my MM is nowhere near my thresholds for suicide.

I am not immune to dark thoughts. Mine come when I look at the state of the world and all the senseless killings done in the name of goodness and rightness. That is what saps my love of life.

Joe

 

I agree with Bergie 110% or visit this website; http://www.save.org/
A high school friend's son recenty committed suicide. PROFESSIONAL prevention is the key.

SAVE's Mission is to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, eliminate stigma and serve as a resource to those touched by suicide.

Did You Know
•More people die from suicide than from homicide.
•Suicide rates among the elderly are highest for those who are divorced or widowed.
•For young people 15-24 years old, suicide is the third leading cause of death.
•80% of people that seek treatment for depression are treated successfully.

News
• If you feel suicidal -SEE A DOCTOR - There is help.
• SAVE is proud to announce the Charities Review Council of Minnesota has certified SAVE meets all 16 Standards of Accountability in the areas of public disclosure, governance, financial activity and fundraising. By setting Standards of Accountability, the Charities Review Council fosters public trust in charitable organizations and helps encourage greater confidence in giving.
• SAVE has an Office Manager Position open.
• SAVE's Named Memorial establishes a perpetual remembrance for a loved one.

or; http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htm

My 9 year old recently had an appendectomy. She shared a room with a girl the same age her age with chemotherapy. Appendectomy, Menieres, are NOT terminal.

 

When you are in pain, unbearable mental anguish, the pain of others is irrelevant to you. You cannot judge anyone's decision to carry out or even to contemplate suicide by bringing up or comparing to other people's misery.

While it's true that anyone suicidal needs immediate professional intervention, this board can be extremely helpful. It's not about holding hands. It's about a sense of community, of shared pain, that can help that person - at least temporarily - to get through a tough spot.

Whether anyone's thoughts of suicide are due to their MM (or another disease) is something no one can be the judge of. I've seen studies (sorry but cannot provide a link at the moment) that put the quality of life of an MM sufferer on par with some late stage cancer patients. Let's not make the fatal mistake of comparing our experiences, our abilities, our strentgh to anyone else's.

Finally, calling for the deletion of a thread such as this one is - in my very humble opinion - unjustified. This is painful but an entirely legitimate subject

George

 

Suicide: Prevention Strategies and Links


National Strategy


If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), or visit the website.

There are many warning signs of suicide. For more information, visit the American Association of Suicidology’s website.

CDC is not a hospital or a treatment facility. CDC has no facilities for seeing patients and is thereby unable to diagnose illnesses, provide treatment, prescribe medications, or make referrals to specialists.



Suicide is a serious public health problem, so it follows that a national strategy for preventing it has been developed (2001). This strategy results from collaboration among several federal agencies (including CDC), coalitions, community-based organizations, practitioners, and other partners. As conceived, the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP) requires a variety of organizations and individuals to become involved in suicide prevention. The NSSP emphasizes coordination of resources and the application of culturally appropriate services at all levels of government—federal, state, tribal and community—and in the private sector. The NSSP represents the first U.S. attempt to prevent suicide through such a coordinated approach. Information about NSSP is available from the Department of Health and Human Services website.


Additional Information

American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
4201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 408
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 237-2280
www.suicidology.org
The goal of the AAS is to understand and prevent suicide. Founded in 1968, AAS promotes research, public awareness programs, public education, and training for professionals and volunteers. AAS serves as a national clearinghouse for information on suicide.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10005
Phone: (888) 333-2377
Phone: (212) 363-3500
www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=7852EBBC-9FB2-6691-54125A1AD4221E49
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is dedicated to advancing knowledge of suicide and its preventable nature. The Foundation’s activities include: (1) supporting research projects that further the understanding and treatment of depression and the prevention of suicide; (2) providing information and education about depression and suicide; (3) promoting professional education for the recognition and treatment of depressed and suicidal individuals; (4) publicizing the magnitude of the problems of depression and suicide and the need for research, prevention, and treatment; and (5) supporting programs for suicide survivor treatment, research, and education.

Institute of Medicine
500 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 334-2352
www.iom.edu
The Institute of Medicine released a report entitled Reducing Suicide: A National Imperative. The report contains four recommendations from The Committee on Pathophysiology and Prevention of Adolescent and Adult Suicide, which examined the state of the science base, gaps in knowledge, strategies for prevention, and research designs for studying suicide. The report reflects different perspectives and levels of analysis and states precisely what decision makers need to do to advance the science and improve health and social perspectives. This project was funded by the CDC, the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Veterans Administration. The views expressed in this report are those of the Institute of Medicine Committee on Pathophysiology and Prevention of Adolescent and Adult Suicide and are not necessarily those of the funding agencies. To view or purchase the report, see the National Academy Press website.

National Center for Suicide Prevention Training
55 Chapel Street
Newton, MA 02458-1060
Phone: (617) 618-2418
www.ncspt.org/courses/orientation
The National Center for Suicide Prevention Training currently has two Internet-based workshops. The first one, “Locating, Understanding, and Presenting Youth Suicide Data,” is available on an ongoing basis. The second workshop, "Planning and Evaluation for Youth Suicide Prevention," is being prepared for pilot testing. The Center’s website provides more information on training.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone: (301) 443-4513 or (866) 615-NIMH (6464)
www.nimh.nih.gov
NIMH is one of 27 components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal government's principal biomedical and behavioral research agency. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to reduce the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior. This public health mandate demands that NIMH harness powerful scientific tools to achieve better understanding, treatment, and eventually, prevention of these disabling conditions that affect millions of Americans. NIMH’s publication, In Harm’s Way: Suicide in America, is available from the NIMH website.

The National Strategy for Suicide Prevention (NSSP)
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/suicideprevention
The NSSP represents the combined work of advocates, clinicians, researchers, and survivors nationwide. NSSP lays out a framework for developing an array of suicide-prevention services and programs. NSSP is a catalyst for social change and has the power to transform attitudes, policies, and services. The NSSP Goals and Objectives for Action was published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (May 2001) and includes guidance from the surgeon general.

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
PO Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003
Phone: (866) 723-3968
www.safeyouth.org
Developed by CDC in partnership with 10 other federal partners, the Resource Center provides current information pertaining to youth violence that has been developed by federal agencies and the private sector. The NYVPRC is a gateway for professionals, parents, teens, and other interested individuals to obtain comprehensive information about youth violence—including suicide prevention and intervention.

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
810 Seventh Street, NW
Washington, DC 20531
Phone: (202) 307–5911
ojjdp.ncjrs.org
The OJJDP provides national leadership, coordination, and resources to prevent and respond to juvenile delinquency and victimization. OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs. OJJDP also works to improve the juvenile justice system so that it protects public safety, holds offenders accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services tailored to the needs of juveniles and their families. Their publication, "Juvenile Suicides, 1991–1998" (NCJ 196978), draws on CDC-compiled data to examine trends and characteristics of more than 20,000 suicides committed by juveniles during that period. "Juvenile Suicides" is available from the OJJDP website.

Reporting on Suicide: Recommendations for the Media
http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?page_id=0523D365-A314-431E-A925C03E13E762B1
The media play a powerful role in educating multiple audiences about suicide prevention by informing readers and viewers about the likely causes of suicide, warning signs, trends in suicide rates, and recent advances in prevention. These recommendations will help guide the media in educating readers and viewers about the steps that can be taken to prevent suicide.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Room 12-105 Parklawn Building
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
Phone: (301) 443-8956
www.samhsa.gov
SAMHSA is the Federal agency charged with improving the quality and availability of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses.

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE)
7317 Cahill Road, Suite 207
Minneapolis, MN 55439-2080
Phone: (952) 946-7998
www.save.org
SAVE's mission is to educate about suicide prevention, eliminate stigma, and support those touched by suicide.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center
Education Development Center, Inc.
55 Chapel Street
Newton, MA 02458-1060
Phone: (877) 438-7772
www.sprc.org
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center supports suicide prevention by offering the best of science, skills, and practice. The Center provides technical assistance, training, and informational materials to strengthen suicide prevention networks and advance the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.

The Suicide Prevention Action Network
1025 Vermont Avenue, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 449-3600
www.spanusa.org
The Suicide Prevention Action Network USA is a non-profit national organization that links the energy of those bereaved or touched by suicide with the expertise of leaders in science, health, business, government and public service to achieve the goal of significantly reducing the national rate of suicide by the year 2010.

The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Suicide
www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calltoaction/default.htm
This document introduces a blueprint for addressing suicide: Awareness, Intervention, and Methodology (AIM). This approach is derived from the collaborative deliberations of the 1st National Suicide Prevention Conference participants. As a framework for suicide prevention, AIM includes 15 key recommendations that were refined from consensus and evidence-based findings presented at the Reno conference.

Training Institute for Suicide Assessment and Clinical Interviewing
www.suicideassessment.com
This website is designed specifically for mental health professionals, substance-abuse counselors, school counselors, primary-care physicians, and psychiatric nurses who are looking for information on the development of suicide prevention skills, crisis intervention skills, and advanced clinical interviewing skills.

World Health Organization (WHO)
World Report on Violence and Health
www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/world_report/wrvheng/en/
This report, produced by the WHO, is written mainly for researchers and practitioners. Its goals are to raise global awareness about the problems of violence and to make the case that violence is preventable and that public health systems have a crucial role to play in addressing its causes and consequences. The report includes a chapter specifically on self-directed violence (chapter 7).


http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suicide-prevention.htm

 

There were times that I wished that God would take me because of MM, not that I desired to kill myself. I have read that William Shatner (who does NOT have MM) considered suicide because of his tinnitus (caused by an explosion on the set of Star Trek decades ago).

That being said, over the years there have been several people who have come on this forum seeking a reason to keep living. They SAID the reason was that they could not deal with MM anymore. There were probably other issues, but that was the reason that they gave.

I do not recall anyone trying to act as professional counsellors or be a suicide prevention hotline here on the forum. Just the opposite, we all immediately told them to call 911 or a hotline or whatever available resources there were in their community, and that they not delay. People come here as anonymous faces hoping for an anonymous word of encouragement. If we can be that - even in confirming that they need to seek professional advice, I think that is the ultimate in a support group/forum. No level of need for support should be off limits or out of bounds to discuss. If people are considering such a final act, regardless if it is because of MM or whatever the reason, they should be able to say so without hesitation.

It is a sad thing that people have to resort to strangers on the internet to find encouragement. Our culture is becoming more and more impersonal. People are becoming more and more isolated from one another and from family and others who could support them. If they have to come here to find that support, then at least they have that. I am thankful that this is one place I can be a listening ear and perhaps make a permanent positive difference in someone's life.

 

Bravo! You said it!!

George

 

http://www.american-hearing.org/disorders/menieres/menieres.html

How Might Meniere's Disease Affect My Life?
Since the acute symptoms of Meniere's disease are episodic, it is important to explain to your family and friends what might happen when you have an attack. Then, if the symptoms occur when they are present, they will understand and not be overly frightened.

You may be able to protect yourself from injury if you feel that an attack is about to begin. Some attacks may occur during the night, so be sure you have a night light on; you will be relying more on vision to help maintain your balance. You will want to make sure that the path to the bathroom is free of throw rugs, furniture or other obstructions.

[size=10pt]Many studies have documented that patients with Meniere's disease tend to have more psychological disability than the normal population, possibly including depression and/or anxiety, in reaction to their disease. It may be necessary to take antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs, under the supervision of an appropriate health care professional.[/size]

 

Excellent post George.

Those that haven't experienced this kind of pain, whether amplified by meniere's or something else, will never understand.  All they can do is analyze and compare, and that's something one can't do in a desperate frame of mind.  To try to get them to understand is as effective as pounding our heads against a wall, both things just get us nowhere.
The important thing is to get support for someone to help them cope before it becomes a suicide cry for help.  Statisitcs show that most people that attempt suicide have tried to reach out to someone before it got to that point.

 

George; this is not a debate and I am done with thread and almost done with this forum after I read your quote, I CAN NOT AND WILL NOT endorse this train of thought. MENIERES IS NOT FATAL.

"Whether anyone's thoughts of suicide are due to their MM (or another disease) is something no one can be the judge of. I've seen studies (sorry but cannot provide a link at the moment) that put the quality of life of an MM sufferer on par with some late stage cancer patients. Let's not make the fatal mistake of comparing our experiences, our abilities, our strentgh to anyone else's."

 

I have a completely different viewpoint on the idea that people have to resort to strangers on the internet to find encouragement. I do not see that as sad at all. I see that as a bonus, a great gift! Family members or friends who have not the same malady as say you and I do cannot possibly give the same kind of support and/or help as those who do. For that reason, it is a bonus that we have the internet, to not only reach out to those who have similar afflictions, but also to be reach out to. No one I know personally has Meniere's. When I had the symptoms, I had no one to talk to who could really understand what I was going through. But the fact that there are so many folks concentrated into this one vehicle, people who know and understand what each other are going through, is certainly a bonus, a bonanza in fact for someone who becomes afflicted with Meniere's. Yes, they can receive compassion and support from family and friends, but in no way can those who do not fully understand the feeling of the disorder fill the void that this vehicle on the internet fills. Nothing could substitute for this vehicle.

I do not believe that Headnoise believes any different than I have expressed here concerning the value of menieres.org. Headnoise does not believe that the internet is a bad thing or a sad thing. I believe however that Headnoise' conclusion that having to resort to strangers is a sad thing is not the most healthy attitude. My attitude is that it is a wonderful thing to have the opportunity that corresponding with strangers affords. And even though we don't know each other's faces, shortly we learn to know who we are dealing with. I believe the glass is half full, not half empty. Others disagree and I suppose that is fine, although not particularly healthy.

Hank

 

editted.

 

I sincerely don't understand the reason this post is such a problem either - yes suicide is a tough, ugly subject but it needs to be talked about. As they say, talking about suicide is not going to make someone commit suicide. I can understand why people would find this thread difficult to read at times but to someone out there contemplating the end, these posts could be just the right prompt to get them to seek professional help. I have seen all sides of this argument: friends and family have committed suicide, my teenage/early adult years were full of horrible clinical depression and psychiatric hospitals. Later as my mental health improved I volunteered many years as a mental health advocate - speaking to school aged children, depression support groups, mental health agencies, etc. Talking about it is a good thing, doing nothing is where it can all go wrong. Unfortunately stigma is still alive and well in the world and many people still think the subject of mental health is a taboo one. How unfortunate for if we all spoke openly then I think more people would get out and get the help they need.

Yes I did strongly contemplate suicide as a result of meniere's. I fought so hard to get well and work; when I found myself so ill again after only 6 years of health I started sinking quickly. Talking about this blasted disease is what has given me the most relief. Of course that's not my only course of treatment when it comes to depression but it sure is a vital one. I'm sure there are many other menierians in a similar boat.

I'd love to quote some of the great responses that I've seen in this thread but my list would never end - thank you for the lively debate, it sure gives a person something to chew on so to speak.

Amethyst

 

I agree with Sherry. It is sad but also remember there may be some that don't have family to reach out to, possibly not have anyone they feel they can reach out to.

I too am thankful for this place and hope I will be of help to someone at some point as I throw in my 10 cents worth

Anyone is welcome to get in touch with me when/if they need a understanding ear, so to speak

Best Wishes to All

 

Just Because MM is not fatal does not mean we dont suffer greatly.Some more than others.This tread has gotten out of hand.Given the tone and the profanity used by some posters,I will sever my ties with this forum once and for all!

 

I have to say that for me, I thought about it 2 times. . .first, shortly after I was diagnosed, I had been sick for a few months and noone knew what was going on. At the time, I was a music performance major with hopes of being a professional classical musician. I was well on my way, and after I got sick, I could no longer complete all of the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Music Performance. It was devastating as I didn't know what my future could possibly be- this was everything I had worked so hard for. But, luckily I had some great friends and family that understood and were there for me.

The second time that it even entered my mind was a few years later. . .I had a number of attacks in a short period of time, along with a lot of personal stress and family problems. Everything seemed quite hopeless, and when you feel rotten and feel very much alone.. .it can seem like it isn't worth it. . .

but you have to look beyond that. . .I did and sure glad that I did. I still have bad days when I am really sick but never would think of even contemplating such a thing anymore. . .why? Because, I wouldn't give it the satisfaction of winning. I now have family and friends that support me and, I survived September 11 - if I could do that, then I could over come anything. . .


Don't stop fighting is my motto. This place is a great resource- and if only to see that there are other people out there suffering. I am not a counselor or a doctor, but I think this is a healthy discussion and there is nothing wrong with that. If you are out there having these thoughts, please do share them- sometimes

we can think of resources to help you because we have gone through it ourselves. Psychiatrists are not for every one, there are many ways to get help. . . and, I for one would be willing to talk with anyone- if all they want is an understanding ear, I always have time.

-M