Advice on dealing with suicidal Spouse
I am the AS individual in this relationship and my spouse has a schizo effective mood disorder. (If you must know, I am unofficially diagnosed by my therapist, and currently undergoing more proper testing for something "official". My spouse is also officially diagnosed. I am given to understand that many here are self-diagnosed.)
Now that we've been informally introduced, on to the real problem:
He is quite often suicidal. It is more like a pestering thought than an actual desire to be act upon. His doctor is aware of this.
I have attempted to seek the advice of my therapist on how to handle talking with him through each episode, but she is only able to give me the usual response: "remind him what there is to live for and all of the special, personal moments."
Well, that works, to a degree. You see, in our household, logic prevails, and logic dictates that life is precious to a certain point. Without death, the planet would be unable to sustain itself, suicide or otherwise. When trying to convince someone the worth of living ( in reality, for my own selfish reasons, ie: I'll be lonely, or traumatized after finding his head blown to bits) it is hard to circumnavigate this broad thinking on such a complex and saturated subject with petty things like, "think of all the sunrises we'll miss". Do you follow me?
I need any advice you have to offer about how to deal with someone who is suicidal, or maybe I should call it severely depressed. If you have been severely depressed, what has lead you to NOT commit suicide? Were there any words of comfort for someone who has a largely logical style of thinking from someone who has a largely logical style of thought as well? Any similar situations? I am not sure if I seek comfort or answers, so I'll just say to offer either and appreciate whatever efforts.
I am unsure if this is able to be followed or not, given that I have not offered up much background on either of us - But, truth be told, I do not have much to offer (we have been married a few years, have a very even relationship ... ? We are both weird, so we get along quite okay, even if my spouse wishes to die on occasion )
Also, I'm, uuhhh, new here, so if this post is better suited elsewhere, please bring it to my attention. I was unsure of where to post, as it is a general topic of many facets, but I assumed it'd be best for "adults".
_________________
"We are all connected; To each other, biologically. To the Earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe, atomically.", Neil DeGrasse Tyson
[Currently SPD/SID, SAD, ADD - Undergoing testing for combined ASD]
I had a suicidal fiancee once, when I was very young: late-teens, early-twenties.
I think reality-testing and logic are, usually, the best approach in these situations.
I wouldn't paint the world as a panacea. I would try to lead him, gently, toward beautiful things.
I would make sure sharp objects are not within his easy reach.
I would keep a vigilant watch--but never let him know that you are keeping a vigilant watch.
Sometimes, the Aspie Way of Logic could serve as a solace, I have found.
Sharp objects, medications and hand guns - check!
It can be quite the chore, but when you are in love, what are you to do?
I would like to think that maybe my approach of logic is the only thing I can do. I believe if one truly does not want to live, they will not.
I appreciate the assurance, at least!
_________________
"We are all connected; To each other, biologically. To the Earth, chemically. To the rest of the universe, atomically.", Neil DeGrasse Tyson
[Currently SPD/SID, SAD, ADD - Undergoing testing for combined ASD]
I've been the suicidal one, and also the one with the pestering thought "Why don't you just die??"
The latter can lead to the former, but they are not the same thing.
You want my honest advice?? Let him talk. LISTEN. I wish someone would do this for me. I used to have a friend (I think he has schizoid PD) who did not care if I lived or died. He just LISTENED. And I ALWAYS walked out of those conversations feeling better. ALWAYS.
Don't try to convince him of why it's not so bad, or why he should be living, or what he could change.
Every time my husband does that, it only serves to convince me that he absolutely doesn't get it, isn't ever going to get it, indeed cannot get it. It makes me feel like an even bigger ret*d for having been stupid enough to talk to him, and makes me want to die that much more.
_________________
"Alas, our dried voices when we whisper together are quiet and meaningless, as wind in dry grass, or rats' feet over broken glass in our dry cellar." --TS Eliot, "The Hollow Men"
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