In the past month two close friends have attempted suicide. Both of their situations are so difficult that I have no confidence they won't try again, and eventually succeed.
One friend used to be healthy and happy until very recently. She used to run marathons and make others laugh. But then she became chronically ill with something that makes her exhausted and in severe pain all the time. She goes to doctor after doctor but no one can figure out what is wrong or how to help. Her suicide attempts have been because the physical pain is too difficult to bear at times.
The other friend has been suffering from severe depression for several years. She, too, has seen many doctors and therapists, been on medication, even tried to have herself admitted to a psychiatric hospital, and nothing has helped. She made a serious suicide attempt last week, but was released from the hospital because her insurance has limited mental health coverage.
I love these women and feel so helpless. It especially hurts knowing that they are doing everything they can to get better but their illnesses seem resistant to treatment. I can't bear the thought of losing them but feel I need to prepare myself for that.
One friend used to be healthy and happy until very recently. She used to run marathons and make others laugh. But then she became chronically ill with something that makes her exhausted and in severe pain all the time. She goes to doctor after doctor but no one can figure out what is wrong or how to help. Her suicide attempts have been because the physical pain is too difficult to bear at times.
The other friend has been suffering from severe depression for several years. She, too, has seen many doctors and therapists, been on medication, even tried to have herself admitted to a psychiatric hospital, and nothing has helped. She made a serious suicide attempt last week, but was released from the hospital because her insurance has limited mental health coverage.
I love these women and feel so helpless. It especially hurts knowing that they are doing everything they can to get better but their illnesses seem resistant to treatment. I can't bear the thought of losing them but feel I need to prepare myself for that.
I'm wondering if the first friend has been to a specialized pain clinic? Pain medicine specialists are often more able and willing to aggressively manage chronic pain symptoms than primary care physicians.
