As hard as this story is to read, I remain convinced that we must be sovereign over our own lives, and should be legally entitled to end it if we so choose.
I agree, I just don't want this right to be tied to any perverse financial motivations: e.g. a nurse walking around an overwhelmed and understaffed hospital, calmly asking anyone if they want to an injection.
Unfortunately, that's what's happening now. Angels of mercy, unfortunately, I think some of them are also murderers. You make a good point, but I don't think we will ever get to that laissez-faire point of dying.
Assisted euthanasia should be a deliberate, purpose built process. Overseen by a doctor, and a guardian social worker, independent of the family and the state, to see at the persons wishes are carried out.
I 100% agree. Bodily autonomy is, I think, one of the instincts (yeah, I think it's hard-coded: an instinct) of the most importance to a human being, along side survival, safety and reproduction. Taking bodily autonomy away from a person it's very close to murder, asymptotically so. It's infuriating seeing people clamoring for a curtail of this right, for the greater of good of course.
That being said.
>"In those years, I saw the Dutch euthanasia practice evolve from death being a last resort to death being a default option."
That's absolutely not ok. I would go so far as forbid doctors introducing this option to a patient; I would favor leaflets and online campaigns and have a discussion only _after_ the patient brings it up. At least in Netherlands (and Canada) everyone is aware of being an option, so it's not like the patients will suffer without knowing it exists; but it might reduce some pressure on people that don't need to take it just yet.
Taking away bodily autonomy is very close to killing a person, yes. People value their body autonomy so much, it's such a deeply-rooted instinct that messing with it can lead to death (either straight up death or personality/ego death).
How often one hears, usually after sexual assault: "they were such a bright, chatty person before, now they're withdrawn, have panic attacks, PTSD, they hurt themselves etc." That's personality death and it comes from denying bodily autonomy.
On a personal note: I know some of the protagonist's sentiments from myself. If anyone is interested, the following things have helped me monumentally during very hard times:
- Device-free time outside, in nature, with your phone at home
- Self-cooked meals from basic ingredients
- Drinking around 1 liter of water for each 30kg of body weight per day
- Follow a daily wind-up and wind-down routine
Just the physical act of going through these motions can already help. You can trick your brain to respond positively even if you don't feel like it (e.g., http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/bul0000194).
> Drinking around 1 liter of water for each 30kg of body weight per day
I don't think there is any scientific basis for drinking water when you're not thirsty. I suspect this idea originated from marketing for bottled water.
This is incredibly sad to read. I will never stand in the way of someone's absolute right to decide their exit.
I watched my father suffer in pain and misery up until his last breath, and I just don't want that for myself. It was hell on my family, and I don't want to put everyone or myself through that.
I never understood why we force humans to suffer so much.
The total number (8720 in 2022) is indeed increasing. But the number due to psychiatric disorders was 115, and the number of people under 30 was only 28. To me it seems like the case reported here was a (tragic) outlier. The vast majority was elderly people with terminal diseases, as you'd expect.
“there’s nothing more we can do for you. It’s never gonna get any better.”
Man that hits hard.
I've struggled with bipolar (I actually like the non-P.C. word for it: manic-depressive) for decades. Its cost me relationships, and jobs, and (now that my beard is grey what with the age-discrimination) probably my career.
You try all kinds of drugs. My favorite is Lamictal--in a small percentage of patients, it causes "toxic epidermal necrolysis" which means all your skin dies and peels off your body. I took it for a few weeks and devloped a rash....geez close call. That would have been a bad way to go.
Eventually, after you try everything, that realization sinks in: It is absolutely incurable and things are not going to get better. WTF are you supposed to do with that?
I can understand...but man, 28 is very young to just throw in the towel. We've had some medical breakthroughs--real weight loss drugs, RNA-based vaccines for corona viruses, etc which I never thought to see in my lifetime.
But maybe a cure is not around the corner. Do you wait it out? Its something easy to armchair-quarterback; but you don't know what its like if it hasn't happened to you.
Hello friend. I read your comment and felt compelled to share my story.
I struggled with mood swings since I was 15, and I was finally diagnosed Bipolar II in college. It laid wreckage to a normal life, I ended up flunking out of semesters and never graduated. I struggled with it throughout my 20s, always feeling like I couldn't get out of my own way. Like you, I tried Lamictal, and hated the side effects.
My life changed when 7 years ago I tried what was then a novel, unproven treatment for Bipolar: the ketogenic diet. Within a few weeks my symptoms went into remission (90% reduction I'd estimate). The mood swings, the static I'd feel in my brain -- everything calmed down. I broke down in tears with my girlfriend... what could the last 15 years have been like with this?
My life had a complete turnaround. Relationships improved. My career took off. I haven't looked back. And 7 years later, this is no longer and unproven treatment. Just yesterday Stanford published their new study after years of research led by Dr. Shebani Sethi (who coined the new term "metabolic psychiatry"). Here's the link: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=8997844...
Harvard and McLean hospital are working on another study, led by Dr. Chris Palmer (his book "Brain Energy" is a must-read). The research is being funded by the Baszucki Group (David is Founder/CEO of Roblox), since it saved/changed their son Matt's life, putting his BiPolar I into remission. Check out their site http://metabolicmind.org.
Is Bipolar incurable, chronic and life-long? That's what everybody says. But my story and many others proves otherwise. My psychiatrist says I no longer meet the criteria for Bipolar. Am I cured? Not really -- if I get out of ketosis, the symptoms eventually come back. But that's a price I'm very willing to pay.
I hope this is helpful. I highly recommend you do your own research, and try it out.
Metabolic psychiatry is part of a new paradigm of frontier mental health solutions. I believe in them so much that I started a new venture to help accelerate its adoption in mainstream medicine.
Thanks. I've had a lot of luck losing weight on ketogenic diets, but it didn't get me off the rollercoaster. Everybody's different, and I'm real glad you found something which works for you.
> girlfriend... what could the last 15 years have been like with this
yeah, this is an aspect of the disease which is really not paid enough attention to.
You start dating somebody, and for a few months, they are just thrilled to be with this high-energy, creative, funny person...
You hire on to a job, and for the first few months, they think they have hired Jesus-Christ Superstar. You have infinite energy, you can see the answers to any problem, and the solutions you come up with are so out of the box creative.....
... yeah. Then for the next 6 months, you watch everything you just did fall apart, while you can barely get out of bed. This disease doesn't just ruin your life, its a major pain point for husbands, wife, your boss, your clients and customers. It's so unfair to them.
I am 40. A promising start in life. I began programming in C at the age of nine, before the internet existed, and found it to be my passion. At twelve, I discovered that programming could be a career and pursued it academically, earning a master's degree . Despite my love for programming and the idea of working in tech, I inexplicably chose to become a teacher, a decision I now attribute to self-sabotage, perhaps fueled by autism.
Throughout my life, I have struggled immensely with completing tasks, seeking help from numerous therapists. My current therapist has diagnosed me with autism spectrum disorder, which provides some clarity. I find myself unable to tackle items on my to-do list, consistently doing everything late, annoying co-workers because of it, and pouring every ounce of my energy into attempting to sit down and work. This has been a lifelong battle, and I am exhausted from living this way. I had dreamed of transitioning to programming, but I recognize that my struggles with task completion will persist regardless of my chosen path. This will not get better. I've tried everything. I've read almost every popular work on procrastination. I understand that my worth is not equal to my work output. I've tried SSRIs, a bunch of stimulants (Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, modafinil, Mydayis, dexedrine), and they work temporarily, but I find myself quickly falling into the same torture wheel.
I empathize with the girl in the article who wants to end her life, as I presume she also faces these kind of difficulties with task initiation. While I am not suicidal, every day feels like a recurring nightmare. I am tired. I am very tired.
19 comments
[ 2.8 ms ] story [ 48.8 ms ] threadAssisted euthanasia should be a deliberate, purpose built process. Overseen by a doctor, and a guardian social worker, independent of the family and the state, to see at the persons wishes are carried out.
That being said.
>"In those years, I saw the Dutch euthanasia practice evolve from death being a last resort to death being a default option."
That's absolutely not ok. I would go so far as forbid doctors introducing this option to a patient; I would favor leaflets and online campaigns and have a discussion only _after_ the patient brings it up. At least in Netherlands (and Canada) everyone is aware of being an option, so it's not like the patients will suffer without knowing it exists; but it might reduce some pressure on people that don't need to take it just yet.
How often one hears, usually after sexual assault: "they were such a bright, chatty person before, now they're withdrawn, have panic attacks, PTSD, they hurt themselves etc." That's personality death and it comes from denying bodily autonomy.
On a personal note: I know some of the protagonist's sentiments from myself. If anyone is interested, the following things have helped me monumentally during very hard times:
- Device-free time outside, in nature, with your phone at home
- Self-cooked meals from basic ingredients
- Drinking around 1 liter of water for each 30kg of body weight per day
- Follow a daily wind-up and wind-down routine
Just the physical act of going through these motions can already help. You can trick your brain to respond positively even if you don't feel like it (e.g., http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/bul0000194).
I don't think there is any scientific basis for drinking water when you're not thirsty. I suspect this idea originated from marketing for bottled water.
You sound like my late grandpa.
I watched my father suffer in pain and misery up until his last breath, and I just don't want that for myself. It was hell on my family, and I don't want to put everyone or myself through that.
I never understood why we force humans to suffer so much.
I expected this sentence to be followed by some statistics, but the article didn't give any. The review committee does publish yearly reports: https://www.euthanasiecommissie.nl/de-toetsingscommissies/ui...
The total number (8720 in 2022) is indeed increasing. But the number due to psychiatric disorders was 115, and the number of people under 30 was only 28. To me it seems like the case reported here was a (tragic) outlier. The vast majority was elderly people with terminal diseases, as you'd expect.
Man that hits hard.
I've struggled with bipolar (I actually like the non-P.C. word for it: manic-depressive) for decades. Its cost me relationships, and jobs, and (now that my beard is grey what with the age-discrimination) probably my career.
You try all kinds of drugs. My favorite is Lamictal--in a small percentage of patients, it causes "toxic epidermal necrolysis" which means all your skin dies and peels off your body. I took it for a few weeks and devloped a rash....geez close call. That would have been a bad way to go.
Eventually, after you try everything, that realization sinks in: It is absolutely incurable and things are not going to get better. WTF are you supposed to do with that?
I can understand...but man, 28 is very young to just throw in the towel. We've had some medical breakthroughs--real weight loss drugs, RNA-based vaccines for corona viruses, etc which I never thought to see in my lifetime.
But maybe a cure is not around the corner. Do you wait it out? Its something easy to armchair-quarterback; but you don't know what its like if it hasn't happened to you.
I struggled with mood swings since I was 15, and I was finally diagnosed Bipolar II in college. It laid wreckage to a normal life, I ended up flunking out of semesters and never graduated. I struggled with it throughout my 20s, always feeling like I couldn't get out of my own way. Like you, I tried Lamictal, and hated the side effects.
My life changed when 7 years ago I tried what was then a novel, unproven treatment for Bipolar: the ketogenic diet. Within a few weeks my symptoms went into remission (90% reduction I'd estimate). The mood swings, the static I'd feel in my brain -- everything calmed down. I broke down in tears with my girlfriend... what could the last 15 years have been like with this?
My life had a complete turnaround. Relationships improved. My career took off. I haven't looked back. And 7 years later, this is no longer and unproven treatment. Just yesterday Stanford published their new study after years of research led by Dr. Shebani Sethi (who coined the new term "metabolic psychiatry"). Here's the link: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=8997844...
Another great recent piece: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/01/27/1227062...
Harvard and McLean hospital are working on another study, led by Dr. Chris Palmer (his book "Brain Energy" is a must-read). The research is being funded by the Baszucki Group (David is Founder/CEO of Roblox), since it saved/changed their son Matt's life, putting his BiPolar I into remission. Check out their site http://metabolicmind.org.
Is Bipolar incurable, chronic and life-long? That's what everybody says. But my story and many others proves otherwise. My psychiatrist says I no longer meet the criteria for Bipolar. Am I cured? Not really -- if I get out of ketosis, the symptoms eventually come back. But that's a price I'm very willing to pay.
I hope this is helpful. I highly recommend you do your own research, and try it out.
Metabolic psychiatry is part of a new paradigm of frontier mental health solutions. I believe in them so much that I started a new venture to help accelerate its adoption in mainstream medicine.
> girlfriend... what could the last 15 years have been like with this
yeah, this is an aspect of the disease which is really not paid enough attention to.
You start dating somebody, and for a few months, they are just thrilled to be with this high-energy, creative, funny person...
You hire on to a job, and for the first few months, they think they have hired Jesus-Christ Superstar. You have infinite energy, you can see the answers to any problem, and the solutions you come up with are so out of the box creative.....
... yeah. Then for the next 6 months, you watch everything you just did fall apart, while you can barely get out of bed. This disease doesn't just ruin your life, its a major pain point for husbands, wife, your boss, your clients and customers. It's so unfair to them.
I am 40. A promising start in life. I began programming in C at the age of nine, before the internet existed, and found it to be my passion. At twelve, I discovered that programming could be a career and pursued it academically, earning a master's degree . Despite my love for programming and the idea of working in tech, I inexplicably chose to become a teacher, a decision I now attribute to self-sabotage, perhaps fueled by autism.
Throughout my life, I have struggled immensely with completing tasks, seeking help from numerous therapists. My current therapist has diagnosed me with autism spectrum disorder, which provides some clarity. I find myself unable to tackle items on my to-do list, consistently doing everything late, annoying co-workers because of it, and pouring every ounce of my energy into attempting to sit down and work. This has been a lifelong battle, and I am exhausted from living this way. I had dreamed of transitioning to programming, but I recognize that my struggles with task completion will persist regardless of my chosen path. This will not get better. I've tried everything. I've read almost every popular work on procrastination. I understand that my worth is not equal to my work output. I've tried SSRIs, a bunch of stimulants (Adderall, Concerta, Ritalin, modafinil, Mydayis, dexedrine), and they work temporarily, but I find myself quickly falling into the same torture wheel.
I empathize with the girl in the article who wants to end her life, as I presume she also faces these kind of difficulties with task initiation. While I am not suicidal, every day feels like a recurring nightmare. I am tired. I am very tired.