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Euthanasia is a big topic these days. Many people believe euthanasia should be legal if you are terminally ill and in pain. I agree. But what about severely depressed people? Should they be given the choice of euthanasia if they can't get over their sadness? I know they can just jump off a bridge or shoot themselves if they really wanted to, but euthanasia is less violent.
I personally don't think depressed people should be given the choice of euthanasia. It's not because I'm religious or anything. It's because I think almost anyone can be treated for depression. I know that some people are really broken inside and miserable, but I don't think misery has to last forever.
Although life has a lot of challenges, it's a gift and I don't think anyone should waste it. It's possible for anyone to get even a little happiness out of life.
What do you think? Do you think some depressed people can't be cured? Have you been hopelessly depressed or known anyone who could not get over their demons? Is anyone truly hopeless and would be better off dead?
Have you ever known a depressed person? I'm asking because your post seems vague on whether you know anyone suffering from depression.
I used to think depression was like alcoholism. Just an excuse type thing. Of course, we've all suffered from depression. Usually after big events. After getting to know three people with depression and meeting several more, I know it is real. With a lot of depression, it's really bipolar disease. One day, the person can be low and suicidal and the next day manically "happy". Making it hard for depressed people to have stable bonds with others. Sometimes, even hard for them to work.
I don't think some people can be cured. I knew two women who managing their depression with pills from their doctors. Both were extremely different on the medication. I also think the pills caused weight gain. Just a terrible experience. I've fallen out of touch with them and one guy I knew who had depression. That's usually how depressed people are. They start relationships and sort of fall out of them. Sometimes, even with their family. The thing about depression, from what I encountered, is there is has to be an effort on the person's part. Like if you have diabetes, if they give you shots, you'll most likely get better. It's just something your body is doing. Where as with depression it's your body and your mind. There has to be a sort of determination to get better.
I think anyone who wants to euthanized be given the option. It's painless and there's less chance of a suicidal person taking others with them. Lastly, I'm more for it with depressed people because if they have children, they will pass down the genes for depression.
Should depressed people have the option of euthanasia?
NO
There's always suicide.
I feel that if you're wanting someone else to do the dirty work, it's because you're actually reaching out to LIVE.
I can only hope that euthanasia (or murder depending on who you talk to) will NEVER be an option.
Have you ever known a depressed person? I'm asking because your post seems vague on whether you know anyone suffering from depression.
I used to think depression was like alcoholism. Just an excuse type thing. Of course, we've all suffered from depression. Usually after big events. After getting to know three people with depression and meeting several more, I know it is real. With a lot of depression, it's really bipolar disease. One day, the person can be low and suicidal and the next day manically "happy". Making it hard for depressed people to have stable bonds with others. Sometimes, even hard for them to work.
I don't think some people can be cured. I knew two women who managing their depression with pills from their doctors. Both were extremely different on the medication. I also think the pills caused weight gain. Just a terrible experience. I've fallen out of touch with them and one guy I knew who had depression. That's usually how depressed people are. They start relationships and sort of fall out of them. Sometimes, even with their family. The thing about depression, from what I encountered, is there is has to be an effort on the person's part. Like if you have diabetes, if they give you shots, you'll most likely get better. It's just something your body is doing. Where as with depression it's your body and your mind. There has to be a sort of determination to get better.
I think anyone who wants to euthanized be given the option. It's painless and there's less chance of a suicidal person taking others with them. Lastly, I'm more for it with depressed people because if they have children, they will pass down the genes for depression.
I don't think I've known anyone who has been chronically depressed.. but I have known people who have gotten depressed from to time because of certain life changes. And I think that's perfectly normal. But I don't think suicide should be an option even if you are chronically depressed. If you have family support, things will eventually get better. I think it's very selfish for people to commit suicide if they have family members who love them.
Should depressed people have the option of euthanasia?
NO
There's always suicide.
I feel that if you're wanting someone else to do the dirty work, it's because you're actually reaching out to LIVE.
I can only hope that euthanasia (or murder depending on who you talk to) will NEVER be an option.
Well, I think euthanasia is supposed to be less tragic and less violent than regular suicide. For example, if a person wants to die, getting a lethal injection is a real peaceful way to go. It's much less traumatizing than walking in on a loved on who shot or hung himself.
It's amazing because depression was a rarity before big cities were created. I read a study once documenting people that moved from the country to the city that reported unusually high rates of depression once living there. So I personally believe big cities have alot to do with the high rates. I mean think about it. Tall man-made creations blocking the view of the natural landscape, close cramped quarters of people and building, cars everywhere, pollution, cold and uninviting social atmosphere, etc. It's really no surprise that there are so many cases of it happening mostly there. People need to be in touch with the beauty and wonder of the natural Earth. It is freeing to the soul. It's hard to do that living and working in a shoe box in the sky.
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There are different kinds of depression. Some are mainly genetically based (such as bipolar) and others are psychosocial, the result of external stressors that aren't coped with properly by the person's particular defense mechanisms. The former is mostly treated with medications, the latter should be mainly treated with other kinds of "talking therapies".
Some people simply don't respond well to treatments of either kind. In my opinion the ideal situation would be to hospitalize them for a fairly long term (voluntarily) and treat them very aggressively, don't fool around with tiny little inpatient doses. However as a society we can't afford that option for all but a few.
Euthanasia should only be allowed if there has been no response to a variety of treatments over many years.
The option is already allowed in some other countries. Off the top of my head I can think of Switzerland, and probably it's no biggie in most third-world nations.
It's amazing because depression was a rarity before big cities were created. I read a study once documenting people that moved from the country to the city that reported unusually high rates of depression once living there. So I personally believe big cities have alot to do with the high rates. I mean think about it. Tall man-made creations blocking the view of the natural landscape, close cramped quarters of people and building, cars everywhere, pollution, cold and uninviting social atmosphere, etc. It's really no surprise that there are so many cases of it happening mostly there. People need to be in touch with the beauty and wonder of the natural Earth. It is freeing to the soul. It's hard to do that living and working in a shoe box in the sky.
Could it be that the number of diagnosed cases increased but the number of actual cases remained the same? I don't imagine there were a lot of psychologists out in the countryside.
Just wondering...not saying you are wrong.
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