My Psychiatrist Committed Suicide

I learned today that my psychiatrist committed suicide in his office yesterday. He had been dropping appointments and was cutting down on his practice--however--I had no idea.

Beyond the initial shock I am deeply saddened for those patients who may feel that since his depression took him, that theirs will too--or that's it's more possible now.

I understand--everyone is human--and so was my doctor, this person I trusted to help me navigate the sometimes war in my head, working with me for many years through my depression and bi-polar illness.

I'm worried for his other patients, saddened for his family, and the connection that I have now lost--he was part of my recovery and a friend.

Along with grief now is a building sense that I must work even harder with my illness, talk to more people, and live life--more than ever--do the things that I'm scared of, to create joy and wellness.

The circumstances of his suicide are very sad and such a way--that it could have been prevented if the right person at the right time had walked by. But the if won't solve anything.

Just movement forward I guess. I'm a little directionless right now--trying to figure out how the person who is supposed to know, the person who was talking to me about suicide less than a year ago--asking me to tell him if I had any suicidal thoughts, is now gone.

It's sad when someone who is supposed to be helping you not do the very thing he did ends up as he did. Like you said psychiatrists are human too. There was no way you could have known what he was going to do. I don't think you have to make up for what he did. Just try to enjoy life as best you can. Try to find your own direction.