Summary
A psychologist discusses her personal struggles with suicidal thoughts following her sister’s death. She uses her experience to empathize with patients who have similar feelings. Her story highlights the impact of trauma and the challenges of balancing professional responsibilities with personal grief.
Key Facts
- The psychologist works with patients who have suicidal thoughts and provides care at an HIV clinic.
- She experienced severe personal trauma after her younger sister died at 35 from substance use.
- Their childhood involved issues like alcoholism, domestic violence, and economic instability.
- Following her sister’s death, the psychologist found herself struggling with thoughts about her own survival.
- Despite her professional success, she found it hard to cope with grief and often broke down in private.
- She did not consider harming herself actively, partly due to concerns about her children.
- The psychologist uses the term "waiting for the asteroid" to describe wanting to die without self-harm.
