I'll counter that with stories of cases where severely depressed and suicidal patients got much better on the right meds (which are not "poisons.")
There is definitely some experimentation to see what works. Bipolar is very hard to treat and often mistaken for depression, which requires different meds. It sounds like your dear friend received an antipsychotic (commonly given to bipolars in their manic phase) and it apparently does feel like a "lobotomy" especially at first.
OTOH, for some patients, it's the only option if they want to get out of the locked ward...but in the best scenarios, the patients are in fact supervised and given a chance to try various medications.
Unfortunately, some substances (like alcohol) can kill you if you take enough, whether or not you were actually suicidal. That's part of what's driving the opioid epidemic and its self-slaughter (most people who die of opioid overdoses weren't planning to die - but the behavior is still considered suicidal, just like drunk driving...suicidality is a scale, and sadly it doesn't have to be completely conscious).
Depression and anxiety are often worse in the morning, especially if it's major depression. It's so hard for family members to supervise an adult with severe depression, which is how I picture Dr. Saukin. Chronic pain and major depression are also strongly associated.
Rest in peace Dr. Saukin. Peace and comfort to the Saukin family.
