Dosulepin overdose?!

Dosulepin overdose?

My sister is stopping with me at the mo and she is taking citalopram 20mg for depression. She has just split with her husband and is having difficulties at work. She has made a few semi 'jokey' comments recently about it all not being worth it and i know that she has a pack of dosulepin 25mg tablets in her room that the doc gave her when she thought the others werent working. She also has some zopiclone sleeping tablets. Im worried she will overdose on them as she has mentioned it has crossed her mind before... Does anyone out there know if ODing on the dosulepin is fatal? or if she does it and pulls through are there any long term effects? Help!!

Firstly with your sister you have to learn that you are not the kick bag as the closest person to her. Please remember communication is the most important part of talking. As for suicide we can all do it and alot of people do. Do not let yourself get into the position for your own sake that you have a loaded gun at your head with suicide. Do not be nasty, be polite I am sorry that you want to commit suicide. I hope you dont as we love you, but we can not stop you from doing it. Be postive, but also be firm as you have yourself to care for as well. Please understand we can not stop any one from killing themselves. Any serious person who wants to kill themself will do it in the end, that is the sad part about it. Also another point to keep in mind when talking that if there is a God or not when you have taken your life no one has come back to tell us that they have found the peace they were looking for. Suicide is a sin and no body has come back to say that your life on the other side would be any better, it could be alot worse for the sin, sadly tell them once you have done it there is no way back.

On a lighter note all drugs are dangerous and the three items you have mentioned are all seriously a danger, there again water is a danger and can kill people with drowning. Please do not start taking tablets off her, there is nothing going to be gained. Your sister has to take responsablity for them selves you can not wrap them up in cotton wool.

The tablets need changing as the most dangerous one is dosulupen as it effects the central nervous system very quickly and also the heart. Death by this type of drug is very slow. Be posative. Largely people make these statements because they can not deal with the symptons of depression or anxiety. Go with her to the doctor and talk about it. If your sister is able to talk she should find some relief in the medication. How ever bad it is there is no one or thing is worth killing yourself for.

No tablets are safe you have to get into a working relationship. Ask her to leave her door open at night so you can check and get a night light for the room if you are concerned. Check the room periodically and if lips are blue you have a problem and need to leave her where she is and call an ambulance.

Please remember this is your sister and you are not a private nurse there has to be a working relationship while she is staying with you. Please do not be held to ransom as you could loose. Be honest, sincere, keep calm and tell your truth as you see it quitely. Take a break yourself. Arm your self as you are doing with as much information as possible. If the worst happens you have tried your best and that is all you can do. You can not keep a person in a straight jacket for the remainder of their natural life.

RMN