Daughter attempted suicide

[CGTMHI]

My daughter, who is 26 and is imature for her age tried to commit suiside with a loaded gun in her mouth. her friend talked her out of it and then she tried again 2 days later. Her friend is female and is living with her. Her friend had told her that she was interested in someone else. ( My daughter for the last 2 years has decided that she thinks she is gay) I do not accept this. She has never been with a man other than a few dates in high school and nothing serious. She is a good looking girl who other than this gay thing has never been in trouble, drank or done drugs. She did have an incedent when she was 8 or 9 with an uncle of mine exposing himself to her. She never told us about this until she was around 17. After she threatened suiside the 2nd time her friend talked her into going to a mental health clinic for the last 3 days. she now says she doesn't know why she did these things and that she just didn't want to loose her friend. What do you think is the real deep problem and what steps should I take to help her? I truly believe that she is not really gay. I think she is just hiding behind the thought of being co-dependant on her friend and her incedent with the uncle has her unconcouisly afraid of being or going out with men. Until she met some gay girls about 4 years ago she always talked about guys and had male friends and even played drums in a small band with 4 other guys. Please give me some advice.
Thanks

[HFHS M.D.-SW]

Dear Jim,

It must be difficult to see your daughter going through so many problems.

The best way to help your daughter may be through support.

Her sexual preference is of secondary concern if she is depressed and suicidal.

Your daughter should continue with her psychiatrist to address her current problems, resolution of other problems may follow.

Best Wishes,


HFHS M.D.-SW

[hannah]

Please accept your daughter for who she is...or whom she thinks she is....Your daughter is considered high risk for completed suicide based on the fact that she obviously suffers from either major depressive disorder or at least a major adjustment disorder...as if that is not bad enough...add to that..having a parent who refuses to believe that his beautiful daughter may be gay or bisexual...A few of my friends in high school committed suicide which was directed related to their difficulty accepting their sexual orientation...Hey, your daughter may or may not continue to have romantic relations with only woman...that is for her to decide..wouldn't you think that if she had a choice she would pick the most socially accepted life partner as opposed to someone whoses gender alone makes her a much hated member of society and member of her own family of origin....I myself am not gay or bisexual...But I also have a mother who told me that she would accept me for irregardless of what sex of person I date...I think she put it something like she would rather learn to cope or deal with a gay or bisexual daughter that was alive on earth....rather than a dead daughter at the local morgue...I know this response sounds harsh...And I don't mean to assume that all gay people feel suicidal when relationships are ending...but sometimes when someone loses someone they love...they grieve for every loss they have ever experienced....hope you will consider any of the above..