Mercy Killing or Senseless Suicide?
Updated January 29, 2013.
Psychological support and emotional support is as essential as controlling the physical pain. The strength needed to cope with chronic pain can wane if it is not fortified with the support from:
family and friends caregivers fellow sufferers
Depression is often associated with chronic disease. The patient must be able to reach out and communicate and receive the needed support to overcome the feelings of hopelessness.
Ignorance abounds among the general population as well as some physicians about the critical need for appropriate pain management. There are groups whose purpose is to educate all people about pain management. Education can lead to help and available options, resurrecting the will to live as opposed to the personal choice of suicide.
It has been recognized that people with similar illnesses cope in different ways. Some patients seem to have an innate strength which allows them to better cope. Other people seem overwhelmingly devastated by circumstances. It appears that beyond the physical pain is the pain that burns within some people and disallows their coping skills. It is as important to nurture the coping mechanism as it is to treat the physical pain.
There are far reaching consequences when a patient opts for suicide. Their choice impacts their family, and also impacts the morale and spirit of patients suffering with same or similar illnesses. A message is sent that there is no purpose to continuing a similar life.
The patient suffering with the similar illness is left with a feeling that goes against everything they have strived to achieve.
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There is a concern about abuse if physician assisted suicide were to be legalized. Where will the line be drawn? Will it become acceptable for people who have lost their will to live for other reasons to opt for suicide? Should we not be concentrating on finding solutions to making life more bearable as opposed to making it easier for people to end their lives?
Suicidal Feelings / Suicide Prevention Solving Difficult Issues / Coping Strategies Pain Relief Information
Sources:
"Kevorkian's Known Victims." International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. 6 Nov 2006 <http://www.iaetf.org/kevv.htm>.
"Kevorkian Chronology." Posted on February 21, 2005. The Nightingale Alliance. 6 Nov 2006 <http://www.nightingalealliance.org/cgi-bin/home.pl?article=120>.
"Life at Risk A Chronicle of Euthanasia Trends in America." Vol. 8, No. 2 March 1998. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 6 Nov 2006; <http://www.nccbuscc.org/prolife/publicat/liferisk/mar98.htm>.
First published: March 10, 1998 / Last update: November 6, 2006
Support
Psychological support and emotional support is as essential as controlling the physical pain. The strength needed to cope with chronic pain can wane if it is not fortified with the support from:
Depression is often associated with chronic disease. The patient must be able to reach out and communicate and receive the needed support to overcome the feelings of hopelessness.
Ignorance abounds among the general population as well as some physicians about the critical need for appropriate pain management. There are groups whose purpose is to educate all people about pain management. Education can lead to help and available options, resurrecting the will to live as opposed to the personal choice of suicide.
Coping Skills
It has been recognized that people with similar illnesses cope in different ways. Some patients seem to have an innate strength which allows them to better cope. Other people seem overwhelmingly devastated by circumstances. It appears that beyond the physical pain is the pain that burns within some people and disallows their coping skills. It is as important to nurture the coping mechanism as it is to treat the physical pain.
There are far reaching consequences when a patient opts for suicide. Their choice impacts their family, and also impacts the morale and spirit of patients suffering with same or similar illnesses. A message is sent that there is no purpose to continuing a similar life.
The patient suffering with the similar illness is left with a feeling that goes against everything they have strived to achieve.
The Future
There is a concern about abuse if physician assisted suicide were to be legalized. Where will the line be drawn? Will it become acceptable for people who have lost their will to live for other reasons to opt for suicide? Should we not be concentrating on finding solutions to making life more bearable as opposed to making it easier for people to end their lives?
Related Resources
Sources:
"Kevorkian's Known Victims." International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide. 6 Nov 2006 <http://www.iaetf.org/kevv.htm>.
"Kevorkian Chronology." Posted on February 21, 2005. The Nightingale Alliance. 6 Nov 2006 <http://www.nightingalealliance.org/cgi-bin/home.pl?article=120>.
"Life at Risk A Chronicle of Euthanasia Trends in America." Vol. 8, No. 2 March 1998. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 6 Nov 2006; <http://www.nccbuscc.org/prolife/publicat/liferisk/mar98.htm>.
First published: March 10, 1998 / Last update: November 6, 2006
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