Physician Assisted Suicide Debate

Health (Photo credit: 401(K) 2012)

The idea of doctor-assisted suicide has been in the forefront for years.  There are excellent arguments on both sides and in many cases, both sides are accurate – there is no easy answer, and it is quite possible there is no right or wrong answer.  There are times when someone believes it is their only way to find peace, to stop the pain, to save their families from watching them waste away.  Why suffer when we don’t have too? 

The debate I am sure will go on for years to come, but what is it really about?  On one side, we have the doctors who believe they know what is best for you.  While they have the textbook  knowledge and research on their side, can they be 100 percent sure what they are predicting and telling you is right?  If you have a diagnosis of terminal cancer and are given three months to live, should it be their choice to keep you in the hospital hooked up to machines and doped up on pain pills for your last days? On the other hand, should we be able to say how and when we would like to leave this world.  

It is true that a diagnosis of any terminal illness will send your mind spinning and there are some who may think taking the “easy way out” is the best way, but is that wrong?  I do not think that it should be the first choice, there should be some parameters put into place.  A diagnosis is not always correct, many have been told they have only weeks to live and go on to live five or six years. 

Assisted suicide should be considered when there are no options, when it is known the person will not recover and is spending their days in the hospital on pain medication and breathing only with machines.  That is not quality of life.  That is what the focus should be.

Quality of life, in the patient’s eyes, is what needs to be considered.  Before the final decision is made and medication administered, there should be counseling and the understanding that this is a last decision for both the patient and the family that is left behind.  

For me, I am not sure what I would choose.  I have thought about suicide many times and have attempted it once.  Could I actually do it?  I don’t know.  

Do you know what you would do?

Suicide - The New Midlife Crisis?

Watch the news and you will see the story of a young person who has committed suicide.  We believe these adolescent kids do not understand that life can get better, there are brighter days ahead, instead they are cut down in the prime of their lives.   What many call, “A permanent solution, to what is often a temporary problem.”

The idea that teens have the highest risk of suicide may not be correct.  In 2007 statistics showed the greatest rate of suicide was among those aged 45-54, and those between 55and 64 showed the largest increase from what was recorded in 2006.  This information is shocking, since it is more common to see middle age as the happiest time of life, after all they now call 50 the new 30.  Reality seems to show, however, that this time of life is actually a time of confusion, doubt and uncertainty.  

We see the realization of dreams never followed through on,  and now face a job; they are not happy with and feel life has been wasted.  Many see debt mounting as their kids head to college and retirement approaches.   In addition, many are faced with caring to aging parents, as their own mortality becomes a reality, for some men when they approach middle age, they find their bodies are not what they used to be, and feel inadequate.  The idea of retiring to the Bahamas or traveling across the world becomes less of a reality with each passing day, and depression takes over for what should have been..    

Additional theories, may also shed some light on the causes, for instance, the fact that as we age the circle of friends, we spent time with and counted on throughout our lives, slowly dwindles; we are more alone, and there seems to be nowhere to turn.  Assisting in this epidemic is the ever growing supply of drugs to help the pain that often comes with aging, which can lead to either intentional or unintentional overdoses.     

With so much emphasis on the treatment of teenagers and younger adults and their risk of suicide, these older Americans are being overlooked.   The chances of suicide and how the act may be carried out can depend on whether you are male or female.  It is well known that women are more likely to seek help and to consider or attempt suicide, with the hope of someone noticing their cry for help.  Men, on the other hand, prefer to keep their depression to themselves and find counsel in their own way, often drinking heavily and turning to guns to ensure their attempt is successful. 

Image via WikipediaOnly 2 years ago new pills were being introduced to help people quit smoking, lose weight and beat other tough addictions, such as alcohol and cocaine. The pills would work by blocking the parts of the brain that control the pleasure responses we get when we eat, smoke, use drugs, etc.

However, as tests have gone it may seem that they work too well for some people. There have been reports of some people taking these drugs experiencing severe depression and thoughts of suicide.

The scientists and makers of these drugs say they are say are safe - though not for everyone. The fact that this type of restriction would bring many setbacks and issues - as it would take these new drugs away from those who could use it the most. In addition, the fact that these drugs do block the pleasure center of the brain, in order to curb cravings - they may also play a part in taking away some pleasure of life away in general.

In recent studies, 43 percent of those the drug Rimonaband noted psychiatric issues, with 28 percent reporting the same effects with dummy pills. As with other studies, those with history of depression were more affected by the drugs.

There is the argument that those who quit smoking or are trying to lose weight, will on their own experience mood swings and depression - so all in all it may be difficult to determine what is causing what.

In one report, a Schizo patient was given a drug to help him quit smoking, without worsening his psychological symptoms.

It’s a toss up - do we use the drugs to help, or do we withhold them to save them.

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Doctor's Knowledge - assists in their own suicide

Image via WikipediaWe see doctors to heal us, save our lives and give us hope for the future - physically. However, there is one thing not talked about, or probably even considered - doctor's and suicide.

Numbers show that as many as 400 we doctors commit suicide each year. According to statistics this number may be higher than the general population, though solid numbers are not easy to come by. Which can explain the higher rate of suicides in the medical profession. Many in the 'general population' do not succeed where doctors have at their disposal the information and medications to succeed in their suicide attempt.

There are few professions that hold such a strong stigma toward mental illness than in the medical field. They figure no patient is going to want to see a doctor with mental issues.

In addition, not only do doctors know how to end their life, they have access to the medications needed.

As doctors suicides have become more widely known, the AMA has called it, "an endemic catastrophe" and has been working to open the doors of communication with the hope of bringing in more doctors who may need help, without the fear of repercussions of "admitting weakness," in their eyes.

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Suicide Knows No Boundaries

There are those who believe that only those with severe mental illnesses commit suicide that it would never enter their mind or affect anyone in their family – their understanding of suicide would be greatly distorted.

No matter where you are in the world, thoughts of suicide are more common than originally thought. A study has shown that among 85,000 people, in 17 countries – the patterns were consistent, and no matter where they lived those who are young, single, females, poorly educated or mentally ill had a higher risk of suicidal ideation's – with the risk factors being consistent.

A saddening statistic, according to the World Health Organization, says suicide rates have increased 60 percent over the last 45 years and is now the leading cause of death among males and females between the ages of 15 to 44.

Typically a person will attempt suicide within one year after the ideas begin; knowing that kids between the ages of 12 and 15 make up a higher number of suicide attempts, being able to detect the signs becomes crucial.

The question now becomes, how do we fight this killer? Suicide is not something we can see, it is not something congress can outlaw or take off the streets, and it hides in the deepest corners of a person not showing its ugly head until it’s too late. As a society we must educate ourselves as to the warning signs, take them seriously and stop the stigma that goes along with admitting there is a problem.

Think of yourself – what would you want to happen if you faced a bout of severe depression, found yourself considering suicide and felt there was no other way out? Would you want someone to help, listen and not criticize?

Keep your eyes and ears open, all too often those at greatest risk are right in front of us asking for help.

Tragedy of War - Suicide

It is unfortunate, but it usually takes a tragedy for people to understand what is truly needed. As soldiers are returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, basic needs are being met, but there are far too many that even when they come home, they are troubled and feel suicide is their only way out.

In a recent report it was shown that more than ½ of the Vets were either members of the National Guard or the Reserve – accounting for 53% of troops from 2001 – 2005, with many staying away from home for 18 months and serving 2 or 3 tours of duty.

Too see these statistics is alarming and heartbreaking. To see it another way, these men and women were our future and lost their lives in part because of their time in war. All lives lost are tragic – these suicides may have been preventable if they had received proper care.

President Bush did sign a bill that requires the VA to improve its mental health training and the way screenings and treatment is handled. Why? According to VA research 144 vets have committed suicide with an average age of 20 – 29. In preliminary reports, the suicide rate in 2006 rose 17.3 per 100,000, with approximately 121 soldiers committing suicide in 2006 – if these numbers are correct, the number would be twice the number reported in 2001.

The solution unfortunately is more complicated than we realize. VA clinics and family doctors can receive additional training, families can be taught what to look for – but in the end it is the person themselves who has the control. Many fear the idea of admitting they have a problem over actually committing suicide. To admit to it says “they are weak,” when they know, “I am a soldier, I can handle this.” Much of this is due to stigma that is placed on mental health – not until that stigma is broken will we have an honest chance at saving those who need help.

What can you do to break the stigma and save a life?

A tragic Hollywood trend - Suicide

It’s been nearly a week since the news broke about the death of actor Heath Ledger. As with most high profile deaths you can’t watch the news or read a newspaper without the constant speculation and most intricate details of his life and death.

While his death, I admit was tragic, there is something more at stake here. Suicide! While not official, the assumption is there and the repercussions need to be looked at.

In the last few years there have been other actors/actresses that have died due to “Drug Overdoses,” and to watch the news it is the “Hollywood” thing to do. Anna Nicole Smith, Her son, Brittney Spears, Owen Wilson, Heath Ledger and the list goes on. They have all take a walk down a road that has a very tragic end. There are those who have been lucky and survived, then go into treatment – that many in the public see as pointless.

I give this overview for a reason – suicide is the result of some feeling of unworthiness, hopelessness, and other personal issues. Those in the public eye, while they seem to have it all, underneath are sad, in need of acceptance and at times a reality check. As their lives played out in magazines, TV and on film they have no more secrets, no privacy and nowhere to turn. A simple weekend away can become tabloid front page news, while a trip to the grocery store makes the worst dressed list.

Think of yourself, what would you do in these situations? If you’re every move, breath and meal was scrutinized in front of the whole world.

I was reading another blog the other day that focused on the topic of Heath Ledger’s death and gave a different take on it – the reality of what the effect of Ledger’s death could lead too.

“First of all, suicide is more common among young people, and 80% of the people who commit suicide are male.

Okay, so Heath Ledger broke the mold by choosing poisoning (8% of cases) over a gun (47%).

From watching the glories of CNN Primetime every night, we can also see that a) Celebrities are crazy, and b) Hollywood isn't what it's all cut out to be. So again, suicidal celebrities? No surprise. Last year in august, Owen Wilson also tried killing himself.

So now we've got a nation of teen/preteen girls (and possibly boys) grieving over an (at least somewhat expected) death, and the story will be in the news outlets for at least a week.” Read the full story here.

The issue in this case, in the aftermath of the discovering of Ledger’s body, is being honest with those who feel they have lost a friend of theirs, who feel they were touched personally by him through his movies. For some, the death of a star can bring depression and some articles will say, lead to “Copy Cat suicides.”

While Hollywood has brought us a lot of fads and memorable moments – this shouldn’t be one of them!

The Untimely Death of Heath Ledger

The death of Heath Ledger has sent shock waves through movie fans everywhere. Those who spend time online may have found out first and spread the word. I heard the news from my daughter as she spoke to a friend of hers - who is a Heath Ledger fan.

I read the story and felt instant sadness for a life taken too soon, a life that felt their only hope was to end their existence. If you read more into the story, you see sadness, pain and hopelessness. A life, that even with all its privilege, could not bring what was needed most.

We may never know the true reason for his death, the pain he felt that overpowered his thinking. May his death bring to light the need for all of us to listen to those we meet and to not let anything pass by as if "it was just a joke."