“THE SO-CALLED ‘PSYCHOTICALLY DEPRESSED’ PERSON WHO TRIES TO KILL HERSELF DOESN’T DO SO OUT OF QUOTE ‘HOPELESSNESS’ OR ANY ABSTRACT CONVICTION THAT LIFE’S ASSETS AND DEBITS DO NOT SQUARE. AND SURELY NOT BECAUSE DEATH SEEMS SUDDENLY APPEALING. THE PERSON IN WHOM ITS INVISIBLE AGONY REACHES A CERTAIN UNENDURABLE LEVEL WILL KILL HERSELF THE SAME WAY A TRAPPED PERSON WILL EVENTUALLY JUMP FROM THE WINDOW OF A BURNING HIGH-RISE. MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LEAP FROM BURNING WINDOWS. THEIR TERROR OF FALLING FROM A GREAT HEIGHT IS STILL JUST AS GREAT AS IT WOULD BE FOR YOU OR ME STANDING SPECULATIVELY AT THE SAME WINDOW JUST CHECKING OUT THE VIEW; I.E. THE FEAR OF FALLING REMAINS A CONSTANT. THE VARIABLE HERE IS THE OTHER TERROR, THE FIRE’S FLAMES: WHEN THE FLAMES GET CLOSE ENOUGH, FALLING TO DEATH BECOMES THE SLIGHTLY LESS TERRIBLE OF TWO TERRORS. IT’S NOT DESIRING THE FALL; IT’S TERROR OF THE FLAMES.” — David Foster Wallace, who i think gives here the most realistic description of what its like to fight against mental illness. unfortunately, he lost his fight, too, and committed suicide in 2008. ive seen a lot of people on facebook discussing suicide being a selfish choice. keep in mind that unless you struggle with debilitating mental illness, you have no idea what it feels like. you may think its selfish to leave loved ones behind, grieving. do you think those who are about to commit this act dont feel guilt or shame? they do. you know what else they feel guilty and shameful for? being alive. stop and think before you speak.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 00:26:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015