[GrumpyRN63]

An interesting article about the rates of suicide among Doctors primarily d/t stigma of psychiatric illness and access and knowledge to end their lives effectively---sad

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24526645/

[TeleRNer]

I had an acquaintance in the medical field who at the time had mentioned to me if any of his friends saw him in a state of remarkable physical decline and obtundedness to do the deed. Meaning:"Do anything you can to end my life quickly." At the time I thought how convenient.
I think we put too much on MDs to to be perfect: It's an awfully lot to live up to.

I did have an uncle, a psychiatrist, who unfortunately used his femoral vein to self inject opiates and stimulants into. He developed a DVT and gangrene and had to have is leg amputated. Sad.

[GrumpyRN63]

Wow,that was sad, thanks for sharing--

[canoehead]

I can imagine a depressed doc trying to self medicate with no safety net if the meds don't work. It would be very easy to slip into that trap, and probably a very lonely place to be.

[nyapa]

It should be spoken about. Thankyou OP for the article....

I did a seach through 'google' to see if there is a similar phenomenon in nursing. Unfortunately there is, which doesn't surprise me. This article is from the year 2000, but I'm sure there are probably more recent ones around...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/944503.stm

[MAISY, RN-ER]

Interesting thread....I think depression is terrible for anyone to experience, but more so for those with the means to end their pain.

HOWEVER, I am not sure the statistics are just quoting MDs with depressive disorders. This has been explored in previous threads....after all we've seen, who wants to be the "practice dummy" in the ER or anywhere else in the hospital?

Truthfully, working in the ER has made up my mind...there will be no heroics, my fate will be in my hands. I know that many of my peers feel the same way. My life is just that, MINE.

Well meaning associates may try to persuade people that things can be different....everything is considerered "depression" when the alternatives to treatment are chosen. People go to court to force patients to be treated. THAT'S WHY IT ISN'T TALKED ABOUT! nO ONE wants to have their lives decided for them.

I don't advocate suicide, I don't advocate letting depressed persons make these types of decisions.... but, I do say that if someone in their youth, or middle age has feelings such as mine...no one, incluing family members or the law has the right to interfere.

Maisy

[nyapa]

Originally Posted by MAISY, RN-ER

everything is considerered "depression" when the alternatives to treatment are chosen. People go to court to force patients to be treated. THAT'S WHY IT ISN'T TALKED ABOUT! nO ONE wants to have their lives decided for them.

All of the above Maisy. Are you talking about physical treatment, eg forcing a renal patient to have an AV fistula so that they can have dialysis, or are you talking about psychological treatment as well?

[MAISY, RN-ER]

I don't believe we can force medical treatment down anyone's throat-especially if the patient has been given all of he information regarding their condition, prognosis and chance for recovery.

That's why it is important people talk about WHAT THEY WANT when they are capable and young. Make it CLEAR to their families how they would choose NOT TO LIVE, and under what conditions.

WE are all walking a fine line with the elderly and chronically ill patients. Nursing homes physicians have these people so drugged up on antipsychotics, depression meds, xanax, and a million other things to keep them under control, zonked out, and sad to say alive in a zombie state. I just don't agree with it. THESE ARE THE FRACTURES, HEMATOMAS, FULL CODES, DECUBS, ULTIMATE CONTRACTURES, DEMENTIA, SEPTIC, ICU ADMIT...... LONELY/ALONE PEOPLE that come to the ER. Many to die, or be kept alive by clueless family members. I equate it with torture.

The chronically ill such as a dialysis patient...if they are given all of the information and choose not to have an access placed. Their wishes must be acknowledged. Obviously, this too is a fine line. No dialysis=death. If they are older it won't even be an option to get dialysis. I w

I recently lost my father in law...he was going to be 93....he was healthy, took 5 pills a day...the hospital gave him a last miserable week of his life...it was his call to stop...he went to hospice....was peaceful for a few days....then passed peacefully. We honored his wishes. ITS HARDER FOR THE SURVIVORS...he's AT PEACE.

Psychological treatment is alot harder. Are we going to have patients watched 24/7? We all know if someone wants to die they will. Can we lock everyone up? How many bipolar patients comply with their medication? I see patients with depression all of the time who are non-compliant.

I guess my issues involve personal righrts..if we can't sterilize hiv+, retarded, STUPID people.....then how can we force treatment down others throats?

Maisy