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If this is indeed a depression-based suicide (I haven't read all of the details yet; they probably aren't even fully available), then it makes a rather profound

If this is indeed a depression-based suicide (I haven't read all of the details yet; they probably aren't even fully available), then it makes a rather profound statement about depression, because who didn't like this guy? Everyone really liked him, and he has produced years of excellent programming.

oldsklgdfth 8y ago
I really try to downplay the depression-based suicide angle - at least for my own sanity. I like to think that large part of depression is based on circumstances, I leave out the clinical cases that have underlying physiological causes. If you are unhappy enough to end your life, then there are probably things that you can change to stop feeling that way, i.e. job, relationships, friends, habits. In a lot of ways this make sense to me, he was probably under a lot of pressure to be the guy that everyone really liked. Created this unrealistic expectation that was stressful to meet. Add in poor habits, maybe strained relationship and friends to lean on. It's not hard for people to feel like there is not point in going on with life. EDIT: I am open to being wrong and invite a discussion of others opinions.
- Miltnoid 8y ago
  You might like to think that, but its not an honest representation of the majority of suicides. Most people who kill themselves do it, not for circumstantial reasons, but physiological ones like clinical depression.
  - oldsklgdfth 8y ago
    I can see that. Would you be so kind as to point me in a direction to get more infos on this?
  - staticautomatic 8y ago
    I'm not sure it's true that most people who kill themselves suffer from clinical depression (diagnosed or undiagnosed).
  - hackermailman 8y ago
    Many people who try and kill themselves, according to friends who are staff at peer run suicide prevention clinics, do so because of a temporary insanity. They aren't depressed, they just sort of lose their mind for a few hours and if they survive the attempt have no idea how they ended up almost killing themselves. Everybody assumes these people are routinely depressed all the time but they tell you otherwise, that it was a delerious state they were in, unable to reason rationally about what they were doing.
    - qume 8y ago
      This is a very important point to understand to help people who are in that mode. Dont let them be alone and keep them talking. It will pass in an hour or less.

oldsklgdfth 8y ago

I really try to downplay the depression-based suicide angle - at least for my own sanity. I like to think that large part of depression is based on circumstances, I leave out the clinical cases that have underlying physiological causes. If you are unhappy enough to end your life, then there are probably things that you can change to stop feeling that way, i.e. job, relationships, friends, habits. In a lot of ways this make sense to me, he was probably under a lot of pressure to be the guy that everyone really liked. Created this unrealistic expectation that was stressful to meet. Add in poor habits, maybe strained relationship and friends to lean on. It's not hard for people to feel like there is not point in going on with life. EDIT: I am open to being wrong and invite a discussion of others opinions.

Miltnoid 8y ago
You might like to think that, but its not an honest representation of the majority of suicides. Most people who kill themselves do it, not for circumstantial reasons, but physiological ones like clinical depression.
- oldsklgdfth 8y ago
  I can see that. Would you be so kind as to point me in a direction to get more infos on this?
- staticautomatic 8y ago
  I'm not sure it's true that most people who kill themselves suffer from clinical depression (diagnosed or undiagnosed).
- hackermailman 8y ago
  Many people who try and kill themselves, according to friends who are staff at peer run suicide prevention clinics, do so because of a temporary insanity. They aren't depressed, they just sort of lose their mind for a few hours and if they survive the attempt have no idea how they ended up almost killing themselves. Everybody assumes these people are routinely depressed all the time but they tell you otherwise, that it was a delerious state they were in, unable to reason rationally about what they were doing.
  - qume 8y ago
    This is a very important point to understand to help people who are in that mode. Dont let them be alone and keep them talking. It will pass in an hour or less.