jess213's blog: "repost this for the breast sake"

Myths About Suicide Myths about suicide can lead well-intentioned people to handle a suicide crisis improperly. Here are some of the most common ones: Myth: Asking suicidal people if they are thinking about committing suicide will put ideas in their heads. "If you suspect depression and/or suicidal thinking, the best thing to do is to ask the person directly," says Sandra Simz, LCSW, clinical consultant at Yolo County Suicide Prevention in California. "Suicide is dealt with most effectively when it is discussed openly and with emotional support." Myth: People who talk about suicide don't do it. All suicidal threats need to be taken seriously, even if you believe the other person is only saying it for a dramatic effect for example, a teenager breaking up with his girlfriend, or a young girl who is teased about her weight by kids at school. It's much better to err in favor of seriousness than to disregard the threat and later have to live with the consequences. Myth: Nobody can stop people who say they are going to kill themselves. A person who says he is going to kill himself is ambivalent. One part of him wants to live, while the other part wants to be free of his emotional pain and sees death as the only option. Your task is to tip the scales in favor of life. Warning Signs If you find yourself talking with a person who has announced his intent to kill himself, look for some of these warning signs of suicidal potential. Keep in mind that each of these factors individually does not necessarily signal suicidal potential. Death or terminal illness of a relative or friend Divorce, separation, broken relationship, stress on the family Loss of health (real or imaginary) Loss of job, home, money, status, self-esteem, personal security There are also certain behaviors associated with suicide. Again, these behaviors individually do not necessarily indicate suicidal potential. Requesting euthanasia information Writing stories or essays on morbid themes Inappropriately saying goodbye Having no support system Having self-inflicted injuries, such as cuts, burns, or head banging Making out a will or giving away favorite possessions Experiencing difficult times, such as a holiday or anniversary marking a significant loss Abusing drugs or alcohol Losing interest in things they usually care about Having depression Making statements about worthlessness, hopelessness, shame, guilt, self-hatred, or saying "no one cares" Neglecting their personal welfare or physical appearance Declining performance in schoolwork or other activities The Importance of Listening Listening is very important in helping to prevent suicide. Give the person every opportunity to express her feelings about the incidents that have lead her to consider suicide. You may not see the problem as worth killing oneself over, but remember that everyone reacts to crisis differently. Don't judge her reasons for wanting to commit suicide. This sends the message that you aren't receptive to talking about her pain and don't take it seriously. You need to focus on how badly the other person is feeling and do your best to understand her perspective of the problem. "It's amazing seeing somebody feeling isolated, hopeless, and afraid becoming a little less so after a conversation in which their feelings were heard, validated, and respected," Simz says. "The more people feel they have a strong support system, the less likely they are to be suicidal." Ask Questions As you continue to assess the extent of suicidal risk, you need to ask the person these questions: Have you thought about how you are going to kill yourself? When do you believe you are going to do this? Do you have the means available to kill yourself? Have you made a prior suicide attempt? Preventing a Suicide Attempt If the person shows several warning signs of suicidal risk and also has a concrete plan for killing himself, you need to get him to the emergency room as soon as possible. If you feel you need assistance, call 911. On the other hand, if the person has a low or moderate number of warning signs and does not have a suicide plan, he should be seen by a therapist as soon as possible. If he refuses this, suggest that he call a suicide prevention hotline where trained counselors are available by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (see Resources below). People often feel more comfortable calling a hotline than seeing a therapist in person. Get Help for Yourself Helping a person who is considering suicide is an emotional and sometimes frightening experience. If at any time you feel you need to talk with someone, you can also call a local suicide hotline to discuss your experience with a trained counselor. RESOURCES: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention http://www.afsp.org The Samaritans http://www.samaritans.org Suicide Crisis Center http://suicidehotlines.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last reviewed September 2005 by Steven Bratman, MD Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2006 - EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

MYTH: Finding a lump in your breast means you have breast cancer. TRUTH: Eight out of ten lumps are benign, or not cancerous. If you discover a persistent lump in your breast or any changes in breast tissue, it is very important that you see a physician immediately. Many times fear keeps women from aggressive health care. Sometimes women stay away from medical care because they fear what they might find. Take charge of your own health by monthly self-exams, regular visits to the doctor, and regularly scheduled mammograms. MYTH: Men do not get breast cancer. TRUTH: This year 211,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 43,300 will die; however, 1,600 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 400 will die. While the percentage of men who are diagnosed with breast cancer is small, men should also give themselves monthly exams and note changes to their physicians. MYTH: A mammogram can cause breast cancer to spread. TRUTH: An x-ray of the breast is called a mammogram. The x-ray and the pressure on the breast from the x-ray machine cannot cause cancer to spread. Do not let tales of other people's experiences keep you from having a mammogram. Base your decision on your physician's recommendation and ask the physician any questions you may have about the mammogram. MYTH: Having a family history of breast cancer means you will get breast cancer. TRUTH: While women who have a family history of breast cancer are in a higher risk group, most women who have breast cancer have no family history. If you have a mother, daughter, sister, or grandmother who had breast cancer, you should have a mammogram five years before the age of their diagnosis. MYTH: Breast cancer is a communicable disease. TRUTH: You cannot catch breast cancer or transfer it to someone else's body. Breast cancer is the result of uncontrolled cell growth in your own body. MYTH: Knowing you have changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene means you can prevent breast cancer. TRUTH: Five percent to ten percent of women who have breast cancer are thought to carry the mutant BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene. Alterations in these genes for men and women can predispose them to breast cancer. If you are a carrier of the genes, you should be monitored closely by your physician. Carriers of the genes have a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Click Here To Learn More