Survival instinct

[Blackrose23]

Does anyone know how to turn off survival instinct? Every time I attempt suicide I go into panic mode.

 

[etherealgoddess]

There is no way to turn it off, honestly. I think it's just there to test you whether you want to actually leave or not.

 

[GasMonkey]

My theory is that survival instinct (SI) serves a purpose.
That purpose is to make absolutely sure you are ready to ctb.
When you are absolutely ready, you will be able to overcome your SI.
But not before then.

 

[harrowinghesitant]

I'd want to know how to do that too. The only methods I have available force me to suffer for at least a few minutes, and I'm scared that I'll just end up permanently disabled if an attempt goes wrong.

 

[Blackrose23]

There is no way to turn it off, honestly. I think it's just there to test you whether you want to actually leave or not.

Dam :(

 

[etherealgoddess]

Dam :(

Maybe you do want to live... :)

 

[Viranamari]

There is no way to turn off survival instinct. It is all just a test of whether or not you really want to CTB. A person who doesn't really want to CTB can't but someone who really wants to will ignore all survival instincts as long as they can achieve death. Hope this helps.

 

[Fwompje]

It's a biological thing, kinda like when you suddenly wake up after just falling asleep dreaming about a football coming towards you.

Some people get rid of it by training with partial hanging from what I've heard and some people get rid of it completely when they are absolutely sure.

For most ctb will be very hard because of SI

 

[Gustav Hartmann]

Partial hanging is a good example of how to deal with survival instinct. You can tell your SI "Be calm, I am doing something that could kill me but probably will not." You know that you can stop the process in time and think "I am just playing." With luck you don´t feel unconsciousness coming before you stop and die. If the pressure on your neck is high enough unconsciousness comes without warning. Full hanging is better to achieve sufficiant pressure. You tell your SI: "I just step off the stool for some seconds and step back before I black out." This misjudgement is the reason for many autoerotic deaths.

 

[HerculePoirot]

Alcohol may help (as an inhibitor of inhibitions). Not too much though, as you may need concentration to do the deed.

 

[drumroll]

I think it might probably a way to just acknowledge SI. Not Surpress it or avoid it or anyhing. I don't rallye think Instincts can't be treated like that, yet be overcome.
My advise would be to take the time and think it through and to remain calm.
Get behind it by understanding, notice the existance and move on.
Hope this is somewhat helpfull.

 

[Amakishiyo]

I think it also really depends on the method, theres definitely methods I feel like I couldn't be doing because of that.

 

[nance]

SI is also my biggest issue rn, in my previous attempt what helped me was telling how it's "not as serious" and tbh not thinking anything, like just going about it casually, not thinking like, oh it's my last day today or anything, as i have noticed, that makes me panic even more. I have done 2 attempts previously, unsuccessful due to not using right method and now my SI seems to be more than before, idk feels like my brain has become alert.

 

[Zulu]

I've only ever been able to overcome my SI by tricking it into thinking that I could still survive after an attempt. Unfortunately, there are very few methods that would allow you to trick it where you could walk away unharmed if you fail. The other thing too is if you're constantly thinking/dwelling up to the moment you intend to exit, your SI will kick into overdrive and essentially force you to stay in the world of the living. Basically, the moment you think about it, you've already lost to your SI unless you're able to trick it with distorted logic/thinking.

 

[ctbforme]

I've only been able to push the feeling off for a little bit. Tried to freeze to death once and after my bodys reaction took over and I was shaking/shivering my body went into like default mode and got me to warm water to warm my extremities on auto pilot. Felt like a blackout I remember all the emotions and then just staring at my discolored hands as warm water brought back color and tingling to them

 

[FuneralCry]

I don't believe that there is a way to turn off the survival instinct as after all, all humans are programmed to survive. It's like the survival instinct exists just to prolong suffering and keep us trapped here and there are no easy answers as to how to overcome it. But after all, of course many people have succeeded with ctb and I believe that for them they had a method that they felt confident in and they knew that it was the right time. I at least know that if I had a method as peaceful as N I would have no problems going through with ctb.

 

[hellispink]

There is no way. One must be brave. One must be courageous. Taking all the courage a deep breath. Thinking why one is here and what bad things brought one here. Knowing there is no exit will do the trick. However, if you have doubts maybe you need to gather your thoughts more efficiently

 

[color_me_gone]

This misjudgement is the reason for many autoerotic deaths.

This is true.
They are going for the maximum high, and end up unintentionally killing themselves.

Lucky bastards.

 

[DEATH IS FREEDOM]

Is it fear or the survival instinct that is stopping you? Your body is only trying to protect you. When the pain of living becomes stronger than the fear, suicide will not be impossible.

 

[Lookoutbelow]

Alcohol may help (as an inhibitor of inhibitions). Not too much though, as you may need concentration to do the deed.

No concentration needed for me to fall off of a balcony. Hello alcohol my friend.

 

[imrantahir1208]

I believe one method would be benzodiazepines like Xanax.

 

[Manfrotto99]

I got a real scare when I was first confronted with my survival instinct. It shocked me. Like it came from nowhere out of the blue - I wasn't expecting it.

I believe I will overcome it when the time is right. Not saying that the time wasn't right, only that it wasn't right for me to overcome my survival instinct as I wasn't able to CBT. I know the time will be right for me when my old dog passes away, as she's all I have left after a life of nothing but loss, sadness and unfilled desires. That's all I know except for my gorgeous dog. I think there becomes a tipping point and for me that It will be when I loose the only thing left in my life, it will compound all the other losses I've experienced and give me the strength to overcome my survival instinct.

 

[sash]

This is an old thread popping up, but.
Until you are ready, it will kick in. The goodbye threads I have read and been there live with the OP that were successful, you can tell that they are at peace with going in their words, ready. Some are scared yes, of course, but ready. No second thoughts. Overcame SI cos need to ctb was stronger
If you have a method that can be practised, repetitive, so you are used to going through the motions, do that. Even SN you could practise the 24hr(?) exact routine with non lethal sweeties and water instead. Partial hanging with something that wont accidentally work etc. Again and again. Do it where u will end up doing it, the chair yr gonna sit on, the window you'll look out of, the tree you'll hang from (dont hang, just hug and get used to surroundings, spend time there) etc. Go through the motions. Familiarise yrself.
But sadly, unless its impulse, your SI will not go away until you are ready.

 

[color_me_gone]

Until you are ready, it will kick in.

So true. SI makes absolutely sure you are ready.

If you have a method that can be practised, repetitive, so you are used to going through the motions, do that.

Familiarity helps to reduce the "Twilight Zone" scariness, which also helps overcome SI.

 

[TimetoGo!]

So true. SI makes absolutely sure you are ready.

Familiarity helps to reduce the "Twilight Zone" scariness, which also helps overcome SI.

Phenomenal comment
My theory is that survival instinct (SI) serves a purpose.
That purpose is to make absolutely sure you are ready to ctb.
When you are absolutely ready, you will be able to overcome your SI.
But not before then.

Phenomenal comment
My theory is that survival instinct (SI) serves a purpose.
That purpose is to make absolutely sure you are ready to ctb.
When you are absolutely ready, you will be able to overcome your SI.
But not before then.

Absolutely true words

 

[iwkmlol]

Fuck. then how do i trick myself? once i step off that chair it'll be over right? im ready, im just a huge pussy