Help How to deal with impotence or frustration after a recovery attempt?

[Judah]

What advice would you give to deal with helplessness or frustration after a failed recovery attempt?

 

[ambivalent.]

I might ask someone "how can you care for yourself at this moment in a way that increases your felt-safety and offers a bit of comfort?" And then I would try to support them in doing that.

 

[timf]

The "comfort" angle has more merit than many may at first appreciate.

One might feel hopeless about the big picture often because they have become detached from the small simple pleasures that define much of daily life. It is important to have an anchor.

 

[unraveling]

I've already thought about this, right after a failed attempt I wouldn't even think about it. No judgements allowed. If I needed to rest then okay but as soon as I was able, I would try again. The reasons haven't changed after all. But that's me. I'm older and things really are without hope. For young able bodied person whose "only" issue is depression over a girlfriend leaving them or whatever (and I am NOT minimizing their pain), then they tend to take that as a sign the suicide wasn't meant to be.

Are we allowed to post links here? let's see https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/means-matter/survival/ 70%+ of the people who fail an attempt, perceive that as "wasn't meant to happen" so they try to make their life better. I guess this is why the pro-lifers try so hard to prevent suicide in young people.

How are you feeling today?