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Post by Claire on Oct 10, 2008 21:40:52 GMT -5
Yeah, when you get to the point of chopping your arm off, you are a bit beyond making rational decisions. An act of sheer desperation like that can't be termed "selfish" in any way. It's horrifying, it's tragic, it shouldn't happen. I certainly don't advocate it. "Selfish" implies a cold, calculated decision that just isn't what happens when someone does something like this. Some compassion is in order. A lot of people find compassion difficult when it's applied to mental illness. Unless you have had one.
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Post by Claire on Oct 10, 2008 21:53:42 GMT -5
The compulsion becomes so powerful that it becomes like instinct for them to injure. Like taking your hand away to avoid being burnt after sticking it too close to a flame, or a hot surface. It's like becoming totally and utterly convinced that doing this is the only thing that will help you, and having finally found a way "out", being unable to think of anything else but the relief that this will bring you. Like you finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and are blinded by it.
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Post by devogirl on Oct 11, 2008 12:01:59 GMT -5
"Selfish" implies a cold, calculated decision that just isn't what happens when someone does something like this. Some compassion is in order. A lot of people find compassion difficult when it's applied to mental illness. Unless you have had one. Good point Claire. People regularly injure themselves in suicide attempts or in the grips of depression, mania, or other mental disorders. Are they considered selfish or wasting public resources? Maybe, but it seems there is more understanding that they need help.
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Post by Claire on Oct 15, 2008 2:46:16 GMT -5
Since it was at home, I would think that it was selfish if his children (assuming he had any) were around. I'm with you there! I don't care who you are or what your problem is: if what you are planning is likely to traumatize children, you need to have yourself committed immediately.
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Post by sittingpretty on Oct 16, 2008 2:36:00 GMT -5
No kids, No wife. All he wanted was some medical care, a quick check up and meds to prevent infection.
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Post by Claire on Oct 16, 2008 6:32:43 GMT -5
So, is he happier now?
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Post by sittingpretty on Oct 16, 2008 11:53:28 GMT -5
Who knows.. they never said much about his case other than the incident in ER. Hopefully he is, I hear its a pain to super glue a hand back on.
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