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Depression

Worried about friend

04/21/2008 08:05AM

Question:

My friend (age 20) recently lost her whole family and has started keeping to herself alot lately and talks about how depressing life is. She has mentioned suicide to me a few times, i even found a suicide note in the trash once. Im worried for her but she shows everyone like shes fine.I found a prescription for 100tabs of xanax (0.5mg). Is that a potentially lethal? She has started drinking but doesnt drink alot. Could i be overreacting or could that much xanax kill her?

Answer:

Whether that dose of xanax is lethal depends on other medications and illnesses affect her. Though that dose may not kill her, it could put her in a coma. The best thing to do with your concern is first, tell her how concerned you are, and second, do your best to see that she gets evaluated by her doctor or a mental health specialist for depression and suicide risk, soon.

For more information:

Go to the Depression health topic, where you can:

Response by:

University of Cincinnati Lawson Wulsin, MD
Professor of Psychiatry and Family Medicine
Department of Psychiatry
Department of Family Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati
Lawson  Wulsin, MD