Its 3 AM and mind is racing and I just want an intelligent back and forth. 92-96% of suicidal gestures end in survival. So, theories? Personal experiences? Please share! I have my own theories which I will probably organize and post at some point but Im more interested in what you all have to say.
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Possibly most failed suicides are not because of botched attempts–I.E. the gun jams, rope snaps, or not quite a lethal dose of a certain drug– but rather the person lacks the willpower to go through with it. Then there are the heartbreaking cases where the victim has to live with a permanent physical or mental disability because of a miscalculated attempt.
Same reason people believe in miracles: they aren’t sufficiently versed in the sciences, like anatomy, for example.
Then there’s the factor of people who only half-believe that a whole bottle of whatever pills will really do the job… as if they’re using the common misconception that a bottle of pills will end anyone, in order to make others think “s/he actually tried to end it!” while believing they will survive to reap the benefits of people suddenly understanding that they were “serious,” and not just seeking attention… which is what such an instance would actually amount to.
And then there’s the margin of error for honest miscalculations and bad aim, or getting “saved,” or anything they couldn’t have predicted would go “wrong.”
I think that most of it is the first two i mentioned; ignorance and well-disguised cries for help. Or maybe i’m over-analyzing it, and it’s just divine intervention.
The will to live is hard wired at a deep sub conscious level and extremely difficult to overcome.
Most attempts involve pills which is very unreliable (we cant get hold of the reliable pills)
Offing yourself is technically difficult, and can result in a messy failure.
one thing determines lethality and that is….sincerity….9/10 if you truly are sincere and adamant in your attempt it will go through…..if you are unsure and doubtful its most likely an attempt at a cry for help….I think taking pills is more a cry for help over an actual attempt because anybody who does the research can see its not reliable …but if they genuinely think its lethal then who knows…..but I think lethality depends on sincerity and intent….I agree with both Clevername and Acheron
I’ve always wondered that. Myself used to try and commit suicide but none of it worked because deep down i knew it shouldnt do it because i had family who loved me and i guess i didnt want to hurt them.
I also agree with Acheron. Beyond social constrains and the pain involved, the subconscious will prevent suicide by any means necessary. I guess the mind only can overcome the body when there is a brief but intense stress or pain.
In other words, people (including myself) tend to greatly understimate the ammount of willpower needed to overcome the will to live.
In a personal note, my own plan to commit suicide failed miserable because I planned it too much in advance. Now I think the way to go is to have everything prepared so when the suicidal drive is at its peak I will be able to off myself.
my sister knows someone who jumped in front of a train and lived (with serious injury). She obviously did not intend to survive.
Personal knowledge coming from info in a hospital:
a) Pills – The only pill that will kill you is the truck transporting them
b) Gun – Do research, where did snipers aim when shooting a person? (above the upper lip, below the nose
c) Hanging – You are suppose to severe your spine running up your neck, so a bit of distance and weight would do “people lack research”
d) Timing – Really are you going to wait so that someone would save you? Or arrive at an unfortunate time?
e) Poison – pick carefully or pick a few
f) Cutting – Ever heard of an artery calapse? “Get something to thin your blood out with “hognose snake – or loads of alcohol” would leave a impression when you are dead and drunk.
g) Jumping – In front of on coming traffic, please don’t use a quite road? Jumping from a building 30m high….lethal and no coming back.
So yes, most failed attempts are not premeditated and it’s just a quick response. OR it could be a person who wants it to fail (it’s a call for help – which most people ignore after a while). Once anything is premeditated (planned) then there wont be any room for error. Planning could and should a) make sure you feel no pain b) no one will find you or would find you depending on your reason and lastly c) your body would be dead 100% and afterlife awaits
I completely share the same belief with Acheron as well. Humans thrive on survival deep down. My theory to that is, why else do people “plan” suicides? What makes a person think twice about suicide? With all the excuses that populate, the stem of it is survival. I believe no one actually prepares for a successful suicide attempt. As for the people that are successful, those are the ones that poorly prepared. <— That may not make since to many but it's something to think about 😉