Hi A -
Long time no talk to. Sorry it has to be like this, had hoped without any word? Things had gotten a lot better, and by the sounds of it? He graduated, and made it into college- had a girlfriend. Sounds pretty normal and good. Just maybe didn't know how to handle the disappointment when it came. Kinda like a rock star - Everyone loved you today because you're great and then things start falling apart and you wonder why on earth you are really here. Questions I'm sure he's going to need to address with his therapist. I would assume with a suicide attempt - this would be a must do, on his list. Maybe not an I want, or even an I need - but a must do.
I have to ask, and don't think I'm being callous - I'm not. I've just had too much experience with suicides, attempted and actual. So this is more where to point than pointing at. You said he took Nyquil, Tylenol and aspirin. He also was "found" by someone or did he "call" someone at the last minute? I'm asking because if you haven't had any experience with suicidal people - there can be a difference, and not that he wasn't so depressed that he didn't feel like dying - but it's curious that he's out, and already thinking about his classes and life again. That's the part that worries me, or bothers me. See if he attempted to commit suicide vs. attempted suicide? He may have called someone, left a trail, thought it out well enough to leave himself an 'out' - making sure someone knew or several people knew and would find him in time. This is what I was told is a cry for help. Not that it couldn't have happened, and he really couldn't have died. But moreso he was dying for someone's attention and just so desperate he wasn't sure how to ask for help.
The other thought I have is - it was Tylenol, and aspirin - not exactly what I would say someone thinks of when they think - Boy I'm going to kill myself, but if he was in an out of mind state and used what he had then washed it down with Nyquil? He's out just days later and everyones just thinking - Okey dokey - lets think about school 6 months down the road. I would want to know WHAT ABOUT YOUR MIND NOW? What about you trying to take your life NOW? THAT needs fixed and addressed NOW before you move forward with anything else. I would think - his doctors would encourage him to move forward of course - but I didn't see anything about follow up outpatient therapy to deal with the things that led him TO this attemp whether it was a sincere attempt to end his life - or just a cry for help. BOTH I might ad - would most certainly need to be addressed and dealt with before school or anything else. I don't see how he can continue a full schedule of stressful school - and try to put his mind back together. So this leaves me a bit confused???
I'm not saying bring him home and baby him either - I would NEVER EVER do that. I think he needs however to take a break from whatever it is that is stressing him out - maybe take 1/2 the classes - get a job, pay you back the money he owes for the 7G and stay where he is - get an apartment with some buddies over the summer NOT move back home - and see a local therapist about his depression. It doesn't have to be BiPolar (BP) - so what if it is? He can be depressed.....but whatever it is that led up to this event? THAT is the thing I'd be worried about with him right now. That, and as the Mother of Dude - NO moving back home. You just mentioned it and it's stressing your marriage right? Yeah - so find another option - like BOY STAYS, GETS PT JOB - splits room with buddies. Just a thought!
Also wanted to add - that it can be helpful too for you and husband right now, or even if you just go alone to go talk to a therapist for a short time about what is going on with your son or even some kind of support group if you are into that. You of course always have us here, and just so you know I don't think suicide holds the stigma of hushed silence that it used to. When I tell people that Dude tried to kill himself twice and nearly succeeded not because he wanted to be found but because he was being watched by staff; and one other time by telling us he was swallowing a bottle of Tylenol and aspirin? I didn't understand very much, but I will say that after both attempts we realized neither of us can be on Zoloft. That particular AD makes me have idealizations of suicide. Both times for him? It made him try to kill himself. I'm on Welbutrin now and it's wonderful for me. Interestingly enough we were told often what works for the Mother for depression will work for the children. I never knew that. But also what doesn't work for one - can have the same adverse reactions. Can being the key word.
I'm really sorry that this has touched your family. I hope that you know you can come here and lean on us for support and hopefully even a good chuckle to pick you up once in a while. Right now? I just send you a big hug and a lot of love cause you need it!
Star