Need Some Help For A Friend Of Mine
Beast
Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
Armonkyi Join Date: 2003-04-21 Member: 15731Members, Constellation
<div class="IPBDescription">Medical help...</div> OK While I'm not going into the details on exactly who this friend is , he's a close friend of mine. Last night he had a very bad spell of depression and..decided to cut himself on his shoulder.. Fortunately he didnt sever any ateries, and the wounds have healed; he knows that it was a stupid thing to do, but he has still lost a lot of blood.
From what I gather his condition is improving, but his blood pressure is still lowish.. and has been for a while...he is well enough to type at the pc, but any major movement leaves him dizzy and tired (such as walking around a bit)
If anyone, preferably with some medical background, has any advice on what he should do, I'll be more than happy to hear about it please. Please no jokes or flaming please as this is just not appropriate.
Thank you for your help..
[EDIT]
UPDATE:
Thanks for the help, His condition has Improved and his blood pressure is normal now <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> So He's ok on the physical front.
[/EDIT]
From what I gather his condition is improving, but his blood pressure is still lowish.. and has been for a while...he is well enough to type at the pc, but any major movement leaves him dizzy and tired (such as walking around a bit)
If anyone, preferably with some medical background, has any advice on what he should do, I'll be more than happy to hear about it please. Please no jokes or flaming please as this is just not appropriate.
Thank you for your help..
[EDIT]
UPDATE:
Thanks for the help, His condition has Improved and his blood pressure is normal now <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> So He's ok on the physical front.
[/EDIT]
Comments
cliched advice, I know, but it's still good... I cut myself a couple times, I don't think as seriously as your friend did, and I'll freely admit it was because I needed attention, and no one was paying attention to how horrible I felt... so yeah, I hope the people important to him have been taking him seriously and paying attention to how he feels...
Try not to make him move alot.
Sugary foods *might* help in the short run, but they probably wouldn't be worth the immense (and possibly dangerous) sugar crash they'd induce, so try not to eat candies or other pure-sugar things. Ice cream might be okay. ^_^
Definitely multivitamins and/or iron supplements at the least. Red meat (if he isn't a vegitarian) can really help replace the lost proteins as well. Tofu might serve on a lesser scale.
Minimum to moderate activity, obviously, no heavy lifting. Keep away from allergens and people with illnesses, stay warm but not hot.
Mostly like treating a cold, just with the added complication of severe nutrient loss and raised risk of infection, really.
(edit) All this advice is for AFTER you've gone to the hospital for a proper dressing by a doctor, as well as stitches if they're needed. If antibiotics are prescribed, add yogurt to that list of things he should be eating. (/edit)
Have him lie down on his back, legs elevated. And then call the hospital.
the legs elevated thing is to keep him from going into shock, he probably wouldn't go into shock at this point, however it is better safe then sory.
/me shakes head, call an ambulance.
The wounds healed around 14 hours ago or more, so there is no more bleeding or bloodloss, I have forwarded and copypasted the many crys asking him to go to the hospital to him.
And yes, I know that the hospital is the best option, however he is a little stuborn on this front for a number of reasons - so I asked here for advice such as what Talesin said. Thanks
Keep the advice coming, I'll keep forwarding it, allthough I think "get to the hospital" has been mentioned enough (no offence).
Thanks.
The wounds healed around 14 hours ago or more, so there is no more bleeding or bloodloss, I have forwarded and copypasted the many crys asking him to go to the hospital to him.
And yes, I know that the hospital is the best option, however he is a little stuborn on this front for a number of reasons - so I asked here for advice such as what Talesin said. Thanks
Keep the advice coming, I'll keep forwarding it, allthough I think "get to the hospital" has been mentioned enough (no offence).
Thanks. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
For this kind of thing, call an ambulence or police for him. Getting him angry at you now will be better than just letting him slip deeper into depression.
If his parents are against psychologists due to any stupid reasons (I.E. they think its all hocuspocus witchdoctor stuff like my parents do) then you may have to find other ways to make sure he gets the help he needs, because if he doesn't he's just going to do this again, until he eventually just offs himself.
If his parents are against psychologists due to any stupid reasons (I.E. they think its all hocuspocus witchdoctor stuff like my parents do) then you may have to find other ways to make sure he gets the help he needs, because if he doesn't he's just going to do this again, until he eventually just offs himself. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Thanks for the concern doom. Rest assured Me and some of his other friends have talked to him about this, and things are being sorted.
and even combined, its nothing compared to unabomber.
damn, that little asian owns.
U will probably find far more factual information or first hand expirience type info (not saying that no one on these forums does not) then in the NS forums.
Best hopes for your friend. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo-->
and what was that about th unabomber? He wasnt asian lol.
DON'T EVER go to alt.dipresion or ANYTHING like that... Trust me.
When I was very dipressed last year (toped eating for a few days) the line of "I cut my self to see if I can still feel" sounded just so right......
Don't ever go to those forums, you will seriously just drag your self deeper and deeper down, they are NOT healthy places.
I know some one who used to regularly hang out on an IRC chanel like that. She eventualy stoped and got better after that. Uppon looking back at it a few months/years later she realised just how toxic an environment thew place was.
If the blade was serrated, then there is going to be a lot more damage, same as if the knife was dull.
Now, if the wound re-opens after it's been sealed, go to a doctor. If it is very sensitive and oozes pus when touch it, go to a doctor. If the area surrounding it is red and the scab is jet black and underneath the skin is black, RUN to the doctor.
Now, as for treatment, drink lots of non-irritating fluids like Water. The main issue is that the body is reeling from the loss of blood plasma. It simply has less plasma to push the blood around. Don't put any strain on the arm as it can rupture the internal scabs that have formed. Make sure they don't move around too much, and if they get dizzy to lay down, IMMEDIATELY and call a doctor for opinion/advice. Mostly its the same habit as if someone just gave blood.
Now, as to the cutting itself...If he wants to feel pain, tell him to give blood. 18 Gauge needle jammed in your arm for 5 to 30 minutes sure as hell hurts. But it's for a good cause. Plus free food and trained medical professionals in case you pass out.
Thanks for the help, His condition has Improved and his blood pressure is normal now <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> So He's ok on the physical front.
ROFL! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
They hated themselves with a passion, and any time they made a mistake they would "punish themselves" by cutting themselves with scissors etc. He told me it was very serious, and the sort of thing professionals should deal with.
So either he hates himself bad, or it was a deeply disturbing cry for help. Bring on the professionals!