Best Posts in Thread: Anthony Bourdain Dead at 61

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".

 

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.)

 

Agree with all of the above and very saddened to read about Bourdain.

Though ‘chemicals’ are found in the brain, strictly speaking they should be described as hormones- of course practically anything has a ‘chemical’ basis.

I don’t think it wise to speculate on Bourdain, so I’ll confine my remarks to suicide in general. Yes, personality factors and hormones; play a role, as do life events, brain structure etc. I think it would be reasonable suggest that depression or suicidality is multi-factorial in causes and there is unlikely to be a single leading explanation. Though not 100% accurate it is possible to anticipate and attempt to head off (rather than predict) suicidal actions. That’s risk management for you - and raft of psychiatric and psychological interventions. Personally I like to think the ‘how to deal with it’ is more important on the ‘what causes it’ - though it is refreshing to understand why treatments work. Think of it as your house being on fire and the wife and kids are trapped upstairs. What do you do? Find the match that started the blaze or call the fire brigade?

Depression is a killer. By 2020 it’s going to be the 4th largest disease burden globally. If you have Depression you are twice as at risk of having a chronic healthcare condition, if you have a chronic healthcare condition you are twice as likely to become depressed. Hence the size of the problem. Luckily it’s fairly easy to treat - but sadly here in the Phils there’s not much of an infrastructure to meaningfully make a difference for most folks.

I agree with our contributor and their impassioned call to get help. Depression causes withdrawal and avoidance - from daily activities, self care, work, family and friends. It’s not just ‘feeling out of sorts’ or miserable. It’s disabling and a killer. Help is out there; most of our patriate government health sites give solid evidence based healthcare advice on what to do and how to treat it. No-one amongst us has to suffer in silence.

Stay well folks.

C

 

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.