Posted on Oct 8, 2016
In the middle of heated debate, where do you stop and think that this is where you should probably draw the line (suicide vs. depression)?
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Admittedly, I do have a little fun poking at controversy, but now I have access to a whole bunch of fearless and outspoken Vets and servicemembers. Cool beans.
I have been creeping around these threads, and I notice two very broad reaction to feelings in general: the haves and the have-nots. Specifically, the haves generally care about social issues and care about people as a whole, while the have-nots generally care more about personal freedoms, other groups be damned. Of course, there are also those who have a leg on each side of the line.
I think we all agree that suicide is a sad thing, and no one should have to feel as if that is their last resort (correct me if I'm wrong). Depression may be a gray area for some (not to be confused with sadness. We're talking long-term, uncontrollable depression), and we can dismiss someone's constant complaining as just being "a whiney liberal" or a "selfish *sshole" when in fact, they are in pain.
So I ask you, the honest people of RP, at which point do you stop to wonder if a person is okay? Where, in the middle of heated debate, do you stop and think that this is where you should probably draw the line? Is there even a line you don't cross? Or do you fight against your brother or sister until they fold, regardless of consequences?
For the sake of this thread, I only have one rule: I'd like knee-jerk reactions. Don't pause to research, don't phone a friend, don't poll the audience. Since it's not related to politics, we don't need to talk about candidates. If you're still reading this, you're a beast and deserve cookies.
I have been creeping around these threads, and I notice two very broad reaction to feelings in general: the haves and the have-nots. Specifically, the haves generally care about social issues and care about people as a whole, while the have-nots generally care more about personal freedoms, other groups be damned. Of course, there are also those who have a leg on each side of the line.
I think we all agree that suicide is a sad thing, and no one should have to feel as if that is their last resort (correct me if I'm wrong). Depression may be a gray area for some (not to be confused with sadness. We're talking long-term, uncontrollable depression), and we can dismiss someone's constant complaining as just being "a whiney liberal" or a "selfish *sshole" when in fact, they are in pain.
So I ask you, the honest people of RP, at which point do you stop to wonder if a person is okay? Where, in the middle of heated debate, do you stop and think that this is where you should probably draw the line? Is there even a line you don't cross? Or do you fight against your brother or sister until they fold, regardless of consequences?
For the sake of this thread, I only have one rule: I'd like knee-jerk reactions. Don't pause to research, don't phone a friend, don't poll the audience. Since it's not related to politics, we don't need to talk about candidates. If you're still reading this, you're a beast and deserve cookies.
Suicide
Depression
Mental Health
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 31
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Yeah, I'll have you know I read this post before falling asleep last night and ended up waking up at 0330 this morning to eat a Halloween sugar cookie with orange frosting and sprinkles. I immediately went back to sleep after finishing the cookie. ;-)
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I try to stop before it gets personal or when it becomes obvious the two sides will not compromise. Whichever comes first is my walking away point.
Never push somebody so far they do something drastic.
Never push somebody so far they do something drastic.
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And again, we should embrace down-voting here on Rally Point. Everyone frowns upon getting negative internet points here for some reason, and considering that the viewpoints are becoming much more polarized throughout the entire spectrum of internet knowledge on both sides, I think most folks would be evened out and the trolls would easily make themselves known.
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SFC Christopher Perry
SSG Jessica Bautista - How did I know the "yellow starburst" would creep back into a conversation at some point. I had a feeling that one was going to stick.
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SSG Jessica Bautista
SFC Christopher Perry - it's culturally universal, bipartisan, and not overtly insulting. It also has the advantage of being a completely absurd thing to be insulted about.
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SFC Christopher Perry
SSG Jessica Bautista - I personally like the nickname. However, anyone that missed the original post, will miss out on the enjoyment when it inevitably comes up again and again.
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SSG Jessica Bautista
SFC Christopher Perry - oh, I have no problem explaining it again and again ad nauseum.
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I find it interesting that you classify the 'haves' as people that care about others, and the 'have-nots' as people that care about themselves. I make no judgement on this observation.
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SN Greg Wright
SSG Jessica Bautista - I think it must be frustrating to live in such an oversimplified world.
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SSG Jessica Bautista
SN Greg Wright - well, isn't that where we are? Where Conservatives write off liberals as being sensitive and it's considered a bad thing? I tired of the same rhetoric, honestly.
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SN Greg Wright
SSG Jessica Bautista - No more and no less than liberals write off conservatives who refuse to come around to their way of thinking.
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SFC Christopher Perry
I don't write off either side as lacking in value. I feel a person on either side could potentially have something of value I can learn from them.
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I like cookies! I try to read and think before answering on line here. In person (I have PTSD and major Depression), when I see/feel I'm getting angry- I stop for a minute in my head to see if it's overkill. I will stop the conversation, and even go back and apologize afterward. I respect the same in my friends- when they start going off _I back off, give them some time, then ask if their are ok, and what can I do to help. It's a minefield 24-7. And NO you can not HAVE my damn cookies Lady!!! LOL
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In my experience those who have little are usually the ones who would help another. Not the ones who have lots. In a discussion, or debate you stop before it goes off topic. Bringing in backgrounds or experience can be the tipping point. When used as a reason for xxxxx belief because you are xxxx. Crosses the line unless there is balance by acknowledging the other background with similar verbiage. Once it becomes personal attack the discussion is lost.
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Well the way I've been told is to Recognize the Signs of distress. I have a fairly good feel for the people in my friends list that I have fairly heated debates. I know which ones are liberals and which ones are conservatives. I know their demeanors and personalities, so if I see something amiss, I'll typically initiate contact. It's not often I see someone's personality suddenly shift during a heated debate, but I typically might see a facebook post that sticks out from their usual postings.
Now I do have lines I won't cross. If you and I are having a conversation, then that's the only people we are talking about. I get severely agitated when someone tries to use my family or even my children against me to sway their argument. My family is off limits unless we were having a debate on family. I hate hearing things along the line "I can't imagine someone with daughters would think the way you do" among other things.
But typically if I'm in a debate, I will continue debating until one of us folds. If I feel like I'm arguing a brick wall, then I'll fold. But otherwise, I will continue debating until I have broken through the defenses or we've called it quits.
Now I do have lines I won't cross. If you and I are having a conversation, then that's the only people we are talking about. I get severely agitated when someone tries to use my family or even my children against me to sway their argument. My family is off limits unless we were having a debate on family. I hate hearing things along the line "I can't imagine someone with daughters would think the way you do" among other things.
But typically if I'm in a debate, I will continue debating until one of us folds. If I feel like I'm arguing a brick wall, then I'll fold. But otherwise, I will continue debating until I have broken through the defenses or we've called it quits.
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I argue until I show that I am right. But, I generally only argue in the interest of helping or defending someone. I don't argue to put people down unless they start it.
I left that part of me behind in the deserts of Iraq.
I left that part of me behind in the deserts of Iraq.
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ok kiddies... we covered happy & rebound suicides... how about trigger, copy-cat, or spontaneous suicides. some person is going through life with normal ups and downs... just like you or me. then somethings happens, a trigger. reading about a suicide or murder or other shocking (to them) event. So, out of nowhere, they do the deed. WTF? NOBODY saw this coming. not even a suspicion. THEY MIGHT EVEN BE IN THERAPY and their therapist was CLUELESS! shit happens...
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Well, spoke last night about my personal experience with a "happy suicide", time to talk about the rebound suicides. A rebound suicide is one who makes the classic "cry for help" attempt, or possibly calls a hotline & gets talked down. They make all the arrangements for counselling or other help... and then successfully kill themselves. Shit happens...
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Capt Tom Brown
Yrs is one of the places I have read about the 'happy suicide'. I have never really believed that someone could be 'talked down' from killing themselves. It's like rescuing someone from jumping off a roof or a bridge, if really serious, s/he only goes back the next day and jumps off. To relieve a person of the desire to kill them self seemingly requires intensive ongoing therapy and talking or whatever it takes 24/7 if it is going to even work then.
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