Anthony Bourdain Dead at 61

There must be a lesson in that somewhere, for who are madly in love. Perhaps the lesson is: Don't lose your mind over a piece of behind. (Yeah I know, easier said than done sometimes.)

 

I know it sounds stupid but where in a hotel room can you hang yourself?
Love his shows. I wish he had professional help. Did he though? Can’t read the articles... too sad.

 

And be careful if someone is that crazy about you. I have been torn up before but never suicidal - although I was the 'reason' for an attempt once. Pretty crappy feeling whether you're actually responsible or not.

 

Random thought for the day.....Killing ones self is always a choice, which makes me wonder why some people do and some people don't. You see people in some of the worst conditions, begging for scraps and sleeping on the streets, and yet they chose to live. You see people who have a very good life and yet they chose not to live. Some for a trivial reason like their girlfriend broke up with them. Is the brain like a muscle, where some people are weak and some are strong? Does everyone who kills themselves have a mental issue? Many homeless have mental issues, yet they don't go around killing themselves. Thoughts?

 

It is all about brain chemistry ... and a person can be born with that problem (that may be genetic or perhaps in-utero damage due to many possible reasons), receive brain damage at any time after birth, acquire it by use of substances which alter it (drink, drugs primarily) or develop it through 'life situations' (anything which mentally affects that person .... and that is a huge list).

Individuals have different 'strengths' to deal with their brain chemistry, but their 'strengths' may themselves be part of their brain chemistry, so it comes back to the same thing. They may be helped by prescribed drugs, psychiatric treatments, help of family and/or friends (but definitely NOT those who say "It is all in the mind" and/or "Just pull yourself together") or just time.

Because there are many factors which can help, time becomes very important - given time MOST people can overcome an inclination to commit suicide, but unfortunately it can become too overwhelming for some people and time runs out.

For those who ever have serious feelings of suicide, it is ESSENTIAL to seek medical help as soon as possible.

This is NOT a situation where a person can say "I'll see how it goes" and sometimes family and friends may need to GENTLY persuade the sufferer to seek help because, at that point in time, the sufferer may be feeling hopeless and helpless and has NO ENERGY to do what is best for him/her. Would you leave a person with a broken leg on the sidewalk to wait and see if they get better - or expect that person to drag themself to the nearest hospital?

For those who can utilise this, I am aware of a thought process 'It is always too soon to quit' - it means that whenever a bad feeling arises you try to hold on for a few more seconds before doing anything harmful - once you have achieved that, then try a few more seconds and keep doing so until you feel 'recovered' and out of immediate danger. That is a very simplified version of the method for people feeling MILDLY 'WORRIED' and I can provide more details for anyone who wants it ... BUT, I must point out that the PRIORITY is always to get treatment from a professional. That can give you the time you may need.

There are certainly many expats with mental health issues - some may have moved here to find a form of peace - and they should recognise that they are very courageous people for struggling, probably over very many years, with their specific problem(s). 'Courage' is doing something difficult, so climbing a mountain is not as courageous if the person finds it easy (even exciting) - struggling against your mental health issues is courageous as NO-ONE finds it easy (if they did then, logically, they would not have a mental health issue). Their problems are the same as those people with physical health issues and they are no more to blame than someone who broke their leg - and yet they can feel stigmatized by society as if they brought it upon themselves. That is so very far from the truth and those with mental health issues should never allow the ignorance (not always due to unkindness) of other people to add to their burden by making them feel bad. So to those who suffer, I quote from the poem 'Desiderata' - "Above All, Always Be Gentle With Yourself".