A good friend of mine just went through a traumatic breakup with her boyfriend. Tonight she was very depressed and informed me she had just taken 6 ibuprofen and 5 OTC sleeping pills. Should I call 911??
If you are concerned for her safety, then perhaps you should. I make no statement about the lethality of whatever you are alleging she has taken, but it does sound from what you’ve said that she is trying to harm herself. Is that right?
If so, this needs immediate professional intervention.
Edit: Don’t take time to reply to us. What if she decides 11 pills aren’t enough, for example? Reported.
I’d say that the probability of that being lethal is virtually zero. Six ibuprofen is a standard medical dosage; that‘s the same strength as the prescription tabs. Toss in a few Benedryl, and she’ll have a good night’s sleep and feel kind of dopey until about the middle of the afternoon tomorrow. I smell a drama queen here, but just to be on the safe side you should encourage her to see a clinician.
Whether or not the method is genuinely dangerous, the fact that she has made a suidical gesture is a cry for help. As others have pointed out, it is entirely possible, even likely, that it will escalate into more dangerous methods if the underlying issues go untreated.
Also, in the longer-term (and not your need answer fast question), there are a number of forums dedicated to the subject of suicide. Not just for the potential suicider but for people concerned about them. One of the best IME is simply suicideforum.com (I am not affiliated in any way).
Of course, with any question in GQ someone could say “Hey, why don’t you ask that on RomanHistoryForum.com?” or whatever, I’m just saying this here because it’s a sensitive topic with significant consequences.
MODERATOR NOTE:
Once there’s a crisis, you need to take action. By now (8 hours later), you’ve either called 911 or haven’t and there’s no point at this stage. Therefore, I’m moving this question into a forum where you will get more help with the situation of a suicidal friend (from GQ to MPSIMS)
HOWEVER, since you’ve just registered and this is your first (and only) post, I’m also inclined to think this is a particularly nasty bit of spam. I’ll give some benefit of doubt, but MPSIMS mods: if ForeverFree doesn’t post again in a while, you might want to kill this thread.
I just made the account. That’s why it’s my only post. I’m an entirely genuine human being and I can prove it to you if necessary. Thanks to everyone for the responses. This morning she is entirely alright, somewhat groggy but not seriously ill. I’m encouraging her to get counseling, as this is beyond what I can help her through.
Hi and welcome, ForeverFree. Glad your friend is okay – definitely encourage her to get some help.
Re: what Dex said – I think he misspoke, and said “spam” when he meant “troll post.” There have been episodes where people post some high-drama soap opera, seeking “advice,” when it turns out they’re making up the whole story. I think he was concerned that this might be such an episode. Pardon our cynicism – this is a large and very active message board, and people don’t always behave forthrightly.
Again, welcome – hope you stick around and find other conversations of interest to you.
twickster, for the SDMB
Having dealt with mental illness in the past I would not hesitate to report a suicide attempt, competent or not genuine or not, to emergency services. I realize you are probably in the US and there may be significant financial consequences to such an action (I am guessing), but here in Alberta it is one of the few ways to get psychiatric help for someone with mental illness. People suffering from mental illness, (even if it is just a temporary depression and not a permanent condition) often will not seek help on there own. Emergency personnel here are trained to do an assessment and get them to see an emergency room psychiatrist, refer them, or even just ensure the family doctor is notified. This can save a life or months or even years of needless suffering.
This crisis is passed for now, but you should encourage your friend to see their family doctor and let a professional decide if help is required.
When someone takes sleeping pills and calls you to say they took sleeping pills - its a cry for help. Literally. She wanted you to report it, get an ambulance there, send her to the emergency room where they would pump her stomach and put her on 48 hour lockdown.
And she either really needs the help, or 48 hour lockdown and a pumped stomach MIGHT help cure her of drama queen tendencies (i.e. that really sucked and boyfriend didn’t come running) (in which case, she needs help, just probably not the inpatient danger to herself or others kind).
24 years ago, I attempted suicide by taking two entire boxes of OTC sleeping pills. All they did was make me really want to lie down the next day.