Depending on which UK tabloid you read this morning, you will either find that Sinead O'Connor needed medical attention because of a broken ankle and a lack of medication or she attempted suicide. Back in September she went on Twitter and said she was contemplating suicide and basically said the same things again today. I think she has a lot of issues and clearly has a drug problem, whether it is pot and prescription meds or something more. What I find ironic is that her husband is a drug counselor. I guess it works differently if you are in love with your patient, but you would think he could get her some counseling or give her some.
I thought she already split from the drug counselor husband.
ReplyDeleteWow.
ReplyDeleteReading her tweets, I want to go through the yellow pages for her and send her someone.
Stay off drugs kids, if not, this is your end result. Hope she finds help and gets her shit together once and for all.
I don't mean this rudely, but she said it was hard to find help in Ireland? Why is this? I don't know if any of our well traveled readers or european readers could answer this for me.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. I wish I could help her too. :(
ReplyDeleteShit. This is not good. I know this behavior (I have this illness myself sans Twitter or social media anymore because of this very reason) so I really sympathize.
ReplyDelete@Tempstuous - what should be done in situations like these?
ReplyDeleteForgive my ignorance, but my initial reaction would be to call 911, and let them handle the suicide watch.
That's exactly what should happen.
Deleteso sad, hope someone close to her does something.
ReplyDeleteThose tweets are terrifying and sad. The good news is that she wants help so I don't think she is hopeless, yet. I hope someone helps her and fast.
ReplyDelete@Rita, same here. Call 911.
ReplyDeleteI know a woman who has struggled with depression and sobriety for several years. She and I used to be friends until I realized what a bad drinking problem she had, and how annoying it was when she'd call me at midnight, completely wasted, and want to talk about how awful things were. So we lost touch. I saw her recently and she told me that she took a bottle of a narcotic and drank a bottle of wine, wanting to die. Did her usual drunk dialing, but her friends are on to her and wouldn't pick up. She posted what she'd done on Facebook, and some guy across the country (someone she only knows via FB) called our 911. (Don't know how he knew where she lived.) The paramedics came and she went into rehab.
I'd love to know the follow-up to this. Someone must have called the police!
Is it wrong that I want to email her and tell her how much of a fan I am? Would that help -- knowing you had many people pulling for you?
ReplyDeleteIMHO she needs to be seen on an inpatient basis. You can NOT be a friend and a couselor, doesn't work that way.
ReplyDeleteAs an EMT, if someone says they re a danger to themselves, it's a crime if we don't take them in. She is a high level risk to herself and probably others around her. If I got this call, that is how I would interpret it.
She needs professional help as I am sure she marginalized her relationships with others. It's part of her illness.
IMHO she needs to be seen on an inpatient basis. You can NOT be a friend and a couselor, doesn't work that way.
ReplyDeleteAs an EMT, if someone says they re a danger to themselves, it's a crime if we don't take them in. She is a high level risk to herself and probably others around her. If I got this call, that is how I would interpret it.
She needs professional help as I am sure she marginalized her relationships with others. It's part of her illness.
That is so scary! I know that desperation, and that is EXACTLY why I NEVER go off my meds, even when I'm feeling well. I seem to have a bit more discipline in this area than others, though. I just hope she got some help :'( bi-polar is no fun :(
ReplyDeleteLauren, I'm Irish and still living here in Dublin. I think what she's trying to get at is historically in Ireland mental issues were hugely stigmatised, still are in some circles. I know that most cultures probably aren't as open about this as they should be, but in Ireland it's particularly bad. I think a lot of people would never go to a therapist about problems and even if they did would absolutely NEVER discuss it with others. Not the way things should be.
ReplyDeleteIt is here too; albeit, not to the same degree. I completely agree with you. And here we have evidence of that escalation.
DeleteShe is victimizing; therby isolating herself. Symptoms of her illness.
She, however, is clearly experiencing a serious medical crisis. It should be addressed with the same urgency as chest pains, as it here. I am almost certain that it is in Ireland as well.
Sinead has been around the block a time or two...she knows perfectly well that Tweets like that are gonna result in her in the hospital. If that is not a blatant cry for help I don't know what is.
ReplyDeleteThis post is graphic.
ReplyDeleteOne more point on this. If someone says they are going to kill themselves ALWAYS tell someone!
One of my closest friends, shot himself in the head last month. It is still agonizing for me. He had told another one of our friends of what he wanted to do, but he didn't tell me because he knew I would have acted on it. Seriously. The friend didn't specifcaly say, don't tell anyone, he just made the decision not to.
Please don't make the same mistake, it literally is fatal.
Now I am upset again, but I hope you guys remember this story.
I hope she gets the help she needs, this is so sad.
ReplyDelete@rareavis - sorry for your loss. Don't think you'd take me seriously if I said "it's not your fault", we don't know each other. But I think you're intelligent enough, to understand that kind of sickness, and its result, is truly not your fault, and beyond your control.
ReplyDeleteThank you, @mynerva. I understand it better now. :)
ReplyDeleteNo problem at all! The more we talk about these things hopefully the more people will seek help and horrific situations like poor @rareavis's friend can be avoided.
DeleteI think her meds are making this situation worse.
ReplyDeletealso, does anyone know what effects menopause may have on a woman's mentality?
@RAREAVIS, I'm sorry for your loss. My best friend of twenty years inadvertently killed himself as well last month. He had given up and making the proper changes was just too hard. It really makes you realize how terribly short life is (I know for myself, I described it to my kids b/c we were their age when we met, that it felt like I could literally reach into the back seat and touch us when we were kids. That's how quick it goes).
Many blessings to you, and again, I am so sorry for your loss.
Me too, I am sorry for yours. Gees, your comments are so heartfelt and touching. I just made my waterproof mascara run. Thank you so, so much for your gentle thoughts.
DeleteNo, it isn't my fault. No, he wasn't an addict. I miss him. The hardest thing is what to do with his numbers in my phone. It's the little things...
I am not going to post on this thread again though, I keep upsetting myself.
@rareavis - so sorry for your loss. I have lost a sibling to suicide and it's an agonizing process.
ReplyDeleteI seriously hope Sinead can get back (and stay on) her meds. It is critical for her - these tweets are terrifying and I just hate the feelings that these types of cries for help evoke.
@Rareavis - I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. Can't imagine your pain (and anger?), hope things get better soon.
ReplyDelete@rareavis sorry to hear of your tragic loss. I am also based in Dublin and know from experience with a close friend that help is available but yes it is something that has a 'stigma' attached to it to a certain degree unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to Sinead she has apparently come out since she tweeted and said "she got the assistance she sought and all is good. She also said a lot of hospitals got in touch with her and "they were fantastic".
I'm typing this on my phone but found the above on this: http//content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2012/01/sinead-connor-danger-unwell-twitter-help/1
Sorry should clarify above I meant help in Ireland in reply to the earlier comments
ReplyDelete^Thanks for the follow-up Chris!
ReplyDeleteNo problem Rita :)
DeleteEven if this were her first meltdown -- and it's not! -- her drug counselor husband would be able to get her to the right resources.
ReplyDeleteSinead has been batsh*t crazy for YEARS so she certainly knows where to go for treatment. Clearly, she's looking for attention and she'll go to any extreme to get it.
I feel bad for her kids. Their fathers -- yup, all four have different dads -- should have full custody, because there's no way Sinead can't even look after herself, nevermind anyone else.
I made a typo: strike out "there's no way" from that last sentence.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, a lot of people suffer from mental illness and ordinarily I'm a lot more sympathetic. It's just that Sinead has spent her entire life creating one mess after the other, putting her entire family through the wringer.
I honestly think she should either be put under a conservatorship like Britney Spears or institutionalized.
Yes, I agree. The way it was explained to me is that addits blame. Oh, and they lie. For people who function 'normally' we find this behavior maddening. We don't understand it and freeks us out. Watch Kim Richards, Lindsey Lohan, we re always asking why WHY? Circle back to my explanation.
DeletePeople suffering from this disease need to be treated by professionals.
Drug/alcohol addictions are called co-morbidties of mental illness. Meaning the illness is the initial concern.
People with these conditions are analgous to wrecking balls in those closest them. It's in everyone's best interest if they are under the care of professionals.
^^^^ or at the very least, have her twitter account shut down.
ReplyDeleteChrist. While I am sympathetic to her need for medical attention, I REALLY hope her kids are in someone else's care. This woman needs intensive treatment and should not be in charge of caring for children.
ReplyDelete^Agreed.
ReplyDeleteSinead needs help, and it's sad that she has to reach out via Twitter to get it.
Oh rareavis: That is truly heartbreaking. AND Omama..So sad to hear of the loss from both of you. cannot imagine the pain you are both experiencing. But I wish I could take it away. I am hugging you now.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if she has Borderline Personality Disorder, on top of her addiction and her Bipolar disorder. The fact that there is always some chaos in her life and she tweets about these things brings up a huge borderline flag for me. Some good medication, a DBT group and some CD treatment would be perfect for her and would help stop the whirlwind of chaos her life is always in!
ReplyDelete^She should quit the hard drugs first. Even pot is a no-no when combined with anti-depression medication.
ReplyDeleteand if not mistaken, she was looking to shoot-up on her wedding night?
rareavis and all others who lost loved ones to suicide, I can't begin to comprehend, peace to you.
ReplyDeleteSo she is most definitely on other drugs and/or alcohol? Or is it that she was off her meds?
Or both?
I am so glad that update was posts and thank you, because these tweets were scary. I'm glad she got the help she needs. It's truly sad that for whatever reasons a basically good person lives with this pain.
One more thing for the daily posters, I am a volunteer EMT. I have my BS in Neuroscience and am finishing my masters in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I don't consider myself to be an authority; however I like to consider my opinions informed.
ReplyDeleteIf Twitter saves a mentally ill person's life, then so be it. Mental illness is no joke, so I'm glad she had that outlet.
ReplyDeletei'm so glad she had the presence of mind to know she needed help and seek it out.
ReplyDeletei also hope the fathers of her children play active roles in their lives, b/c it simply must not be easy having her as a parent.
My heart goes out to all who have lost loved ones to suicide or mental illness (they aren't always trying to kill themselves). Hopefully the situation with Sinead starts a dialogue in Ireland so mental illness loses its stigma.
ReplyDeleteRita she was looking for marijuana on her wedding night - nothing more sinister. However given she is bi-polar I would think that is a recipe for disaster
ReplyDeleteHopefully by now, one of her friends has seen this and reached out to help. :(
ReplyDeleteIronically enough, my son will be moving to Ireland to study psychotherapy next year.
ReplyDeleteYes, people with mental illnesses cause periodic disasters in their loved one's lives, but they're people too, and they don't do it out of spite. They truly cannot help it. That's what distinguishes them from flat-out assholes.
People with bipolar disorder also often self-medicate. They know their mood isn't stable and they instinctually seek chemicals that will put it straight. If you think about it, that's NOT completely a bad instinct to have. It's GOOD that she sought help and knew she needed her medications. People who do drugs don't 'become' bipolar - people who are bipolar seek drugs to stabilize their mood.
Please don't dis people with mental illness who are actively and opening seeking help by shaming them for the 'drama' of asking for it outloud. If someone were bleeding to death in Walmart, we'd expect them to shout for help, wouldn't we?
The stigma has to stop so people can seek medical attention without shame.
Rareavis: I am crying now thinking about you looking at your friends number and thinking, I wish I could call and they would answer..Just gotta get a itssue now..I am so very, very sorry.
ReplyDelete@rareavis, my husband's best friend of 20 years committed suicide 1 1/2 years ago. It has been devastating to all of us. My husband especially, who also attempted suicide (unsucessfully) 6 months after his friend. My husband has said that he'll never take his friend's number out of his phone. It's ok to keep your friend's phone numbers. It's not a decision that you have to make now.
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ReplyDeleteShe needs to GO TO A HOSPITAL, not go on Twitter. Or is it really that bad finding psychiatric help in ireland? Legit asking. Don't know anything about ireland.
ReplyDeleteI have really bad OCD and have always been told that if you feel suicidal, call 911 or go to the hospital; I don't think they can legally turn you away.
*hugs* to everyone who's deal with losing loved ones like that. I won't go into any details, but suffice to say I'm all too familiar w/depression on a firsthand basis...
ReplyDeleteQuite presumptuous for so many armchair psychiatrists to diagnose, recommend treatment, and adjudicate Sinead an unfit mother. How dare you! Sinead apparently had enough insight to seek help and perhaps mistakenly believed those on social networks could provide helpful information. Apparently, instead of receiving the name of a medical provider, she received the same type of destructive criticism present here- from people more eager to prey on Sinead's vulnerability than to offer any meaningful or compassionate assistance. She is a living, feeling person that needed help. It was a simple request for the name of a medical provider for goodness sake. Wow
ReplyDeleteQuite presumptuous for so many armchair psychiatrists to diagnose, recommend treatment, and adjudicate Sinead an unfit mother. How dare you! Sinead apparently had enough insight to seek help and perhaps mistakenly believed those on social networks could provide helpful information. Apparently, instead of receiving the name of a medical provider, she received the same type of destructive criticism present here- from people more eager to prey on Sinead's vulnerability than to offer any meaningful or compassionate assistance. She is a living, feeling person that needed help. It was a simple request for the name of a medical provider for goodness sake. Wow
ReplyDelete