When the time comes, is it possible to manage the panic/terror without drugs or alcohol?

[Groundhog_Day]

Now that I have all the equipment for the carbon monoxide tent method, I keep rehearsing the process. What has become more clear is that I'm very likely to have a panic attack whilst in the tent, and I'm not sure I will be able to stop myself getting out, especially if I'm in a delirious state from the carbon monoxide.

I don't have any sedatives, and alcohol makes me sick. I do have a beta blocker - atenolol for my congenital heart disease, so could take a few of these, but I don't find they make much difference when I'm having a panic attack.

Is there any chance of staying relatively calm, without drugs? I plan to keep reminding myself that it should be relatively painless and I will finally be free, and staying alive is the much scarier option for me. Also, try to do some meditation breathing exercises to calm down, and just be in the moment.

Do you have any other techniques for dealing with panic? Should I try and get sedatives from my GP? I find they are very reluctant to prescribe them here in the UK. If it comes to it, I could try ashwaghanda, which I took a while ago and it had a slight relaxing effect.

 

[DivineSpark]

It is hard to overcome survival instinct.

 

[nails]

i doubt you'd be able to deal with SI or panic without substances. it's hardwired into us, there's really no way to naturally get rid of it.

good luck, wishing you the best.

 

[Forveleth]

SI is very difficult to overcome. Do not feel any shame about it. You are doing all the right things. Thinking about your method, practicing in your head, telling yourself things will be better this way, even meditation, nice! The only other bit of advice I would give is to not force yourself into an attempt. Do not set a date and force yourself to stick to it. Neither of my attempts were planned for the day I made them, I just realized I felt "ready".

 

[Richard Langford]

No and realistically you have zero chance of getting Benzo's off a UK GP. There's effectively a moratorium on their prescription.

 

[Groundhog_Day]

SI is very difficult to overcome. Do not feel any shame about it. You are doing all the right things. Thinking about your method, practicing in your head, telling yourself things will be better this way, even meditation, nice! The only other bit of advice I would give is to not force yourself into an attempt. Do not set a date and force yourself to stick to it. Neither of my attempts were planned for the day I made them, I just realized I felt "ready".

Thank you for this advice. I saw your reply on another thread which really helped me, about almost reassuring the limbic system part of your brain that it's OK, and dying is the best option. I know meditation and breathing exercises can help calm down the limbic system, so I think I need to practice and get better at these techniques.

Also, thanks for the advice about not setting a date. My only problem is I want to do it on a non windy/nice weather day, and they are not common in the UK. The tent CO method also takes a few hours of prep, so it will be hard to not ruminate and panic. Hopefully I will get to a more peaceful place of acceptance with some practice, and the panic will not be such a problem.