Doctors "saving" the lives of people who attempt suicide

[Jessica5]

Why do they try to save the lives of people who blew off their face with a shotgun? Seriously, most non-suicidal people would probably rather die than live like that.

It's at least a little more defensible that they'd save the life of somebody who tried a drug overdose, since there really aren't any bad effects of an overdose that last beyond about a week. Plus, it's a little questionable if people who try out an overdose even want to die.

 

[Ukmale]

Good question... I guess the obvious answer is because its their job and duty.

 

[devilish]

Because they think they're doing the right thing, they don't have the same state of mind that most of us here do

 

[Jessica5]

Good question... I guess the obvious answer is because its their job and duty.

Part of the Hippocratus oath is to do no harm.

I'd interpret "saving" the life of such a person doing harm.

 

[Ukmale]

Part of the Hippocratus oath is to do no harm.

I'd interpret "saving" the life of such a person doing harm.

I don't disagree

 

[Severen]

Because they don't want to be seen as evil for being a doctor but letting someone die in the eyes of pro life people...

 

[Ukmale]

Because they don't want to be seen as evil for being a doctor but letting someone die in the eyes of pro life people...

Agreed

 

[TooLate2582]

Non-practice = Malpractice, sense of duty, Hippocratic oath?

 

[First loss]

They have to. It's their job after all, they can't justify it with "oh but he wanted to die".

 

[Can'tStandAnymore]

They have to. It's their job after all, they can't justify it with "oh but he wanted to die".

Still, I think most pro-lifers would prefer be dead rather than living like that. It's not such a personal preference at that point.

 

[First loss]

Still, I think most pro-lifers would prefer be dead rather than living like that. It's not such a personal preference at that point.

I know. Living a life of pain and misery is not a life worth living. Kinda like the life I am living right now. But as you know, things are set, and it's their duty. Maybe it would be good to offer people like that euthanasia as an option. It's a complex issue.

 

[Chalken]

As others mentioned, it's their job and they're legally forced to save them. However, I agree that if a person didn't want to live beforehand, a severe failed attempt is most likely gonna leave the person wishing they were dead even more.

 

[Jean Améry]

To be fair they're very likely to be prosecuted if they don't do this, be incarcerated, lose their job, lose their medical license, their family... In the end it's society's fault although I do believe a large part of the blame lies with psychiatry for spreading lies/unprovable assumptions about suicidality, 'mental illness' and the supposed link between them.

 

[Boochky]

Can I sharpie DNR on.my forehead?

 

[GeorgeJL]

Out of fear of being sued from family members. And loosing their medical license.

 

[NoOneKnows]

the Hippocratic oath - doing no harm as an argument wont stand considering the type of medications they push to people on a daily basis

 

[omoidarui]

i hate to be the devil's advocate but many suicide attempts end with the person grateful for being saved so it's not always bad

euthanasia should definitely be an option still, but i would think with some sort of screening in place to prevent people who are just acting impulsively and don't truly want to die. not sure how it'd work though

 

[lost_soul83]

Why do they try to save the lives of people who blew off their face with a shotgun? Seriously, most non-suicidal people would probably rather die than live like that.

It's at least a little more defensible that they'd save the life of somebody who tried a drug overdose, since there really aren't any bad effects of an overdose that last beyond about a week. Plus, it's a little questionable if people who try out an overdose even want to die.

You think living after an OD as an addict is a good option??

 

[Jean Améry]

You think living after an OD as an addict is a good option??

I doubt you'd automatically turn into an addict after a one time use of heroin or another addictive drug. I'd be far more worried about physical damage to one's organs.

i hate to be the devil's advocate but many suicide attempts end with the person grateful for being saved so it's not always bad

euthanasia should definitely be an option still, but i would think with some sort of screening in place to prevent people who are just acting impulsively and don't truly want to die. not sure how it'd work though

Many people make foolish attempts purely out of emotion and impulsivity, plus it's probably euphoria brought on by the fear of death and bodily harm being lifted. Objectively speaking one's problems usually remain after a failed attempt, unless the aim was to invite attention and 'help'. Which is both sad and stupid: if one really has no other way to communicate one's pain and need for assistence than a suicide attempt that is sad. If it was possible to obtain said support without the attempt it's stupid/unreasonable.

I agree a screening process should be set up or at least a waiting period including access to various sources of help and information. The wish to die should be consistent, based on objective information (i.e. not an imaginery or fixable problem) and not due to outside influence. Imo the person should also be able to rationally think about this and to some extent be able to communicate their reasons clearly and coherently. If those conditions are met I'd think that person knows what they're doing and should be granted euthanasia or at least the proper means to do it themselves.

 

[NextSummer]

Don't want to sound like a smartass, but doctors don't vow upon Hippocratus. The hippocratus oath from ancient times also forbids doctors to work with women. It's outdated. The modern oath doctors vow upon is the declaration of Geneva. It doesn't state anything about "ignoring the will of the patient and always make sure he survives". Actually it's the other way round. Read it, it says one has to respect the autonomy of the patient. There is nothing against euthanasia. It's allowed. https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-geneva/

 

[Ruffian]

i hate to be the devil's advocate but many suicide attempts end with the person grateful for being saved so it's not always bad

euthanasia should definitely be an option still, but i would think with some sort of screening in place to prevent people who are just acting impulsively and don't truly want to die. not sure how it'd work though

I think this site is a good start. I came here impulsively looking for a quick way to end it. Just reading that other people have the same feelings really helped a lot. I still want to ctb though and struggle with SI.

 

[Final Escape]

the Hippocratic oath - doing no harm as an argument wont stand considering the type of medications they push to people on a daily basis

I always thought that was funny too, because they do harm pretty regularly.

 

[CursedForDisaster]

Part of the Hippocratus oath is to do no harm.

I'd interpret "saving" the life of such a person doing harm.

Severe mental harm in certain cases