Discussion Characteristics of the people on this forum

[loser4ever4life]

Hey y'all! New user here, I know this place is going through it rn with the UK police but I wanted to throw a question out here. With suicide being an impulsive decision the majority of the time (10 minutes or less), with deliberation longer than a day being relatively rare (13%) do you think that impacts the method choice for users on here? I'm assuming users on this forum have been considering it for weeks if not months which would make us all outliers.

I wanted to know why you are leaning towards the methods commonly espoused on here? Such as poisoning or hanging? Is it because its seen as passive, peaceful, a high lethality, a possibility of aborting, or something else?

I also want to make it clear I do not believe any of this is "easy" or that you are lesser for coming on here, in a perfect world, this forum would not be needed

Sorry if I sound like a researcher, I have a STEM background and am autistic (likely a factor into why I'm considering this)

 

[tiredash]

Suicide being an impulsive choice is simply not true. Most, if not all of people here think about suicide cause they are suffering and they see no exit from their situation.

If anything, its the other way around. We have been reflecting on this in most cases for years, we know there is simply no exit, we thought about it thoroughly and we always end up in the same conclusion: we have to die. But then there is this called survival instincts that takes hostage of us and does not let us end it... So the only way to surpass this and take the DECIDED AND LOGICAL step is when one of the few times where the situation, mood and everything aligns and lets us surpass these bullshit instincts.

So in short, suicide is not a in impulsive choice, is a choice that has been deeply thought. The impulse is what lets us actually executing that decision.

This is also why I think all these suicide prevention stuff is bullshit. Oh, thanks you prevented this time, but everything is the same, its just a matter of time where Ill try again. And if you dont let me kill myself while do nothing, you are just torturing me. And if you dont want to do nothing, dont, but then leave me alone.

 

[divinemistress36]

SN cause of its high lethality, less gruesome way to to go , and less likely to become a vegetable if I fail

 

[ForestGhost]

If you have time to reflect on it, I guess it's only natural to seek out the most peaceful methods. SN, inert gases, CO poisoning etc. are all fairly painless as far as any lethal option goes.

 

[Daenerys Targaryen]

Planning is the best. Impulses lead to failure. But sometimes we don't even have the strength to plan.

 

[loser4ever4life]

Suicide being an impulsive choice is simply not true. Most, if not all of people here think about suicide cause they are suffering and they see no exit from their situation.

If anything, its the other way around. We have been reflecting on this in most cases for years, we know there is simply no exit, we thought about it thoroughly and we always end up in the same conclusion: we have to die. But then there is this called survival instincts that takes hostage of us and does not let us end it... So the only way to surpass this and take the DECIDED AND LOGICAL step is when one of the few times where the situation, mood and everything aligns and lets us surpass these bullshit instincts.

So in short, suicide is not a in impulsive choice, is a choice that has been deeply thought. The impulse is what lets us actually executing that decision.

This is also why I think all these suicide prevention stuff is bullshit. Oh, thanks you prevented this time, but everything is the same, its just a matter of time where Ill try again. And if you dont let me kill myself while do nothing, you are just torturing me. And if you dont want to do nothing, dont, but then leave me alone.

I appreciate you for taking the time to type all that out. I was citing this page which has a collection of studies (https://means-matter.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/duration/).

I guess I do agree with you on the fact that it is decided and logical, I don't think suicide is necessarily psychological distress. I've just become numb to living

Planning is the best. Impulses lead to failure. But sometimes we don't even have the strength to plan.

Agree with this whole heartedly, I couldn't get out of bed for the longest time, didn't even want to walk to a bridge, just wished I died in my bed

Its why suicides are high during spring, people get a little bit more energy, just enough to ctb

 

[real human being]

I appreciate you for taking the time to type all that out. I was citing this page which has a collection of studies (https://means-matter.hsph.harvard.edu/means-matter/duration/).

I guess I do agree with you on the fact that it is decided and logical, I don't think suicide is necessarily psychological distress. I've just become numb to living

Agree with this whole heartedly, I couldn't get out of bed for the longest time, didn't even want to walk to a bridge, just wished I died in my bed

Its why suicides are high during spring, people get a little bit more energy, just enough to ctb

This page makes its claims based on asking suicide-attempt survivors questions like "How much time passed between the time you decided to complete suicide and when you actually attempted suicide?" which is completely different from "How much time passed between the time you started to seriously consider suicide and when you actually attempted suicide?" and also different from ""How much time passed between the time you decided on and prepared your suicide method and when you actually attempted suicide?".

I'm sure the vast majority of people who end up attempting suicide think about it for months and years prior to coming to a decision.

 

[loser4ever4life]

This page makes its claims based on asking suicide-attempt survivors questions like "How much time passed between the time you decided to complete suicide and when you actually attempted suicide?" which is completely different from "How much time passed between the time you started to seriously consider suicide and when you actually attempted suicide?" and also different from ""How much time passed between the time you decided on and prepared your suicide method and when you actually attempted suicide?".

I'm sure the vast majority of people who end up attempting suicide think about it for months and years prior to coming to a decision.

You're right, my bad, methodology is a bitch

 

[DoomCry]

I believe that 99% of suicidal people do not go to a forum to get information on how to proceed. Those who commit suicide, but in the vast majority of cases they do it impulsively and the event happens in a few minutes, can be reasoned about for perhaps half an hour. And then there is a small percentage who plan that takes years or months to decide, calculates all the variants and the possibilities of failure but this is not the norm. Furthermore, this attitude is also typical of those who never act in the end, so we are talking about people who fantasize about the idea of death for their entire life. This is comforting. Just look at Goro's sites where there is a minimum of planning perhaps to put the video camera but how many have used a horn They practically improvised at the last minute with whatever rag they had available.

 

[SmilingNoMore]

SN because of its effectiveness and availability.

 

[locked*n*loaded]

I've planned mine out. My only 2 objectives are peacefulness and not to fail. There is not going to be any impulsivity when my time comes. I'm just taking care of some business that I have to do first.

 

[Forveleth]

Way before I got to this forum, my attempts were not impulsive. They were planned (albeit not well as I am still here). I knew that many impulsive attempts fail and I did not want that.

My method is hanging (partial or full) because all it takes is a rope and an anchor. It can be done almost anywhere with a wide variety of materials and will therefore always be legal and accessible.

 

[AreWeWinning]

With suicide being an impulsive decision the majority of the time (10 minutes or less), with deliberation longer than a day being relatively rare (13%) do you think that impacts the method choice for users on here? I'm assuming users on this forum have been considering it for weeks if not months which would make us all outliers.

Your question is a bit confusing to me. I feel like you have a lot of assumptions, and it's difficult to answer your questions without automatically agreeing to those assumptions.

First, you assume that suicide is an impulsive choice for the majority of users here. (At least your question assumes it. But then your next statement doesn't, so I'm double confused.) It may or may not be true, I don't know. My guess would be that it's not. The impulsiveness of the decision definitely affects the choice of method for people, but it's true in general, and not only on this forum. If you're asking whether I think the majority of people gravitate towards certain methods on this forum, because they are making an impulsive decision, and their preference is a result of their impulsiveness, then I guess no, that's not true. First, I don't think the majority here is very impulsive, and second, some methods that are popular here require careful planning and preparation. E.g. SN, various gases etc. Those cannot be done impulsively.

I wanted to know why you are leaning towards the methods commonly espoused on here? Such as poisoning or hanging? Is it because its seen as passive, peaceful, a high lethality, a possibility of aborting, or something else?

"I wanted to know why you are leaning towards the methods commonly espoused on here?" Again, it's only possible to answer this question well if I accept your assumption that I'm leaning towards a method that is commonly espoused on here. My method of choice is full suspension hanging, and I don't think it's one of the most common or supported methods here. Most people prefer SN or partial hanging, and some other methods. Some people like full suspension, but it's definitely not one of people's favourites. I mainly came here for gathering information and discussion. My choice was not affected based on the methods' popularity on the forum, rather I tried to make an informed decision, and tried to consider the method's characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.

The last part of your question is easier to answer. I like full suspension, because it's quick, relatively painless (opinions may vary), very quick, very accessible, easy to do (for me it is, but opinions may vary), and its lethality rate is among the highest. If done right, it's nearly impossible to survive. I'm very afraid of a failed attempt, and to avoid it is one of my highest priorities. It's a vain reason, but I also think it's classic and has style. It's a courageous way to go, and it represents decisiveness.

 

[Pluto]

 

[loser4ever4life]

The last part of your question is easier to answer. I like full suspension, because it's quick, relatively painless (opinions may vary), very quick, very accessible, easy to do (for me it is, but opinions may vary), and its lethality rate is among the highest. If done right, it's nearly impossible to survive. I'm very afraid of a failed attempt, and to avoid it is one of my highest priorities. It's a vain reason, but I also think it's classic and has style. It's a courageous way to go, and it represents decisiveness.

A very well written response and I thank you for spending the time to write it out. I apologize if my writing was less than coherent, I am not perhaps thinking through things when I type.

I'm also very scared of a failed attempt, don't want to go back to the hospital again, not a pleasant time.

 

[NonEssential]

I've considered a lot of options, but the one that's most available and reliable for me is hanging.

 

[eattwinkiesseejesus]

Like a few other commenters, I too am a bit confused on some of your questions or what you're looking for exactly but for me personally- suicide has never been about impulsiveness. I've been struggling with my mental health since elementary school, this has been a long, grueling, and abusive ride that we call life for me. I began dreaming about the day I would die before I ever hit teenage years - my first attempt at 14 I planned weeks ahead of time (pill overdose- spent weeks hoarding so I could make the attempt) - suicide itself has been and always is on my mind. It's the self harm that is based off impulse

As far as choosing and picking a method, after a time or two of being desperate to end it all only to fail - it's natural to want to find a full proof method and for those of us with anxiety/panic attacks and or low tolerances for pain choosing the least painful option is simply to boost the overall chances of obtaining that success. Something that takes too long or could possibly cause great pain is enough to cause SI and or anxiety attacks before the attempt can even be made.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I'm curious. Where did you get those 'impulsive' figures from? 10 minutes or less? And only 13% contemplating it for more than a day? That sounds unlikely to me. I expect the majority of people who commit suicide must have thought about it at length beforehand.

It definitely won't apply to the majority on this forum. I ran a poll a while back:

How long have you been suicidal for? Poll

Just curious really. Is this a recent development for you, or something longer term? I know this has been discussed before but maybe not in poll form? I find poll's pretty interesting. I suppose I also wonder how this affects how we experience our thoughts. I get the impression some people feel...

sanctioned-suicide.net

I've had ideation 35 years- since I was 10. I imagine it's a tiny majority that suicide totally out of the blue. It's a big decision. A frightening one too. Most of us fear the attempt itself or, surving an attempt and being left with debilitating injuries.

I suspect reports of it being mostly impulsive fit more neatly with the idea that it's a crazy thing to contemplate. That people aren't themselves even when they contemplate it. I think it's easier for those left behind to blame it on a moment of madness but- I doubt that's accurate a lot of the time.

 

[loser4ever4life]

I'm curious. Where did you get those 'impulsive' figures from? 10 minutes or less? And only 13% contemplating it for more than a day? That sounds unlikely to me. I expect the majority of people who commit suicide must have thought about it at length beforehand.

It definitely won't apply to the majority on this forum. I ran a poll a while back:

How long have you been suicidal for? Poll

Just curious really. Is this a recent development for you, or something longer term? I know this has been discussed before but maybe not in poll form? I find poll's pretty interesting. I suppose I also wonder how this affects how we experience our thoughts. I get the impression some people feel...

sanctioned-suicide.net

I've had ideation 35 years- since I was 10. I imagine it's a tiny majority that suicide totally out of the blue. It's a big decision. A frightening one too. Most of us fear the attempt itself or, surving an attempt and being left with debilitating injuries.

I suspect reports of it being mostly impulsive fit more neatly with the idea that it's a crazy thing to contemplate. That people aren't themselves even when they contemplate it. I think it's easier for those left behind to blame it on a moment of madness but- I doubt that's accurate a lot of the time.

I cited a page from Harvard up in the thread, I think its kind of why I created this thread in the first place. It seems that most people who attempt do not put in the same amount of forethought that users on this forum do and I was curious as to what might be unique about the users here, if there was anything at all. My assumption being that most people who attempt, or even consider for this matter, suicide, do not use this forum (as popular as this place may seem).

Another big thing is suicidal ideation =/= actively suicidal. I have been suicidal for about 8 years and yet I say I've only had 3-4 plans/occasions where I formulated some solid plan. Until about 2-3 weeks ago, I would say I hadn't thought about it in weeks, and even now the urge to actually go through with it has waned and waxed despite the fact I do intend to ctb within 2 days.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I cited a page from Harvard up in the thread, I think its kind of why I created this thread in the first place. It seems that most people who attempt do not put in the same amount of forethought that users on this forum do and I was curious as to what might be unique about the users here, if there was anything at all. My assumption being that most people who attempt, or even consider for this matter, suicide, do not use this forum (as popular as this place may seem).

Another big thing is suicidal ideation =/= actively suicidal. I have been suicidal for about 8 years and yet I say I've only had 3-4 plans/occasions where I formulated some solid plan. Until about 2-3 weeks ago, I would say I hadn't thought about it in weeks, and even now the urge to actually go through with it has waned and waxed despite the fact I do intend to ctb within 2 days.

Interesting. I guess it could be true when you consider how many attempts supposedly fail. I think it's something like 24 or 25 attempts for every 1 successful suicide. Not to say that doing research guarantees an attempt working but, I suspect many people here are already put off methods that are less likely to work.

It's hard to know if we are that different here, seeing as suicide is such a taboo subject in everyday talk. Even here though, we're quite different amongst ourselves. Some people have planned everything out fastidiousy, others feel they actually need more spontaneity to get over their SI.

True again- passive ideation is different to active. I've had phases of active ideation throughout life- when things have felt especially bad. Mostly to the extent of researching methods, visiting jump spots. The same as you though, it's only been the last couple of years I've put in the effort to have a method prepared.

I guess the intensity can vary too. I get the impression that a lot of members here have had suicidal thoughts for some time. Maybe we do still have very intense feelings now and then but, maybe we're more used to having these feelings and thoughts- which makes us calm and rational enough to do thorough research.

I had a friend who used to feel suicidal. They had even attempted a couple of times. We used to chat now and then but really, neither of us quite understood the other. My claim to be suicidal likely seemed weak to them- seeing as I've never attempted. Whereas, it made less sense to me why they would attempt with a method so likely to fail. They said the intensity of it affected them so much that they weren't thinking clearly. So- yeah- maybe you're right. Maybe a lot of people do attempt impulsively. Maybe there are different types of ideation too. I suppose the impulsive attempts are the flee response. We likely do still want to flee but, we want to feel sure it will work I suppose.

 

[Linda]

Most suicides are definitely not impulsive, at least if we are talking about the kinds of people who use this site. (And from my limited experience with other suicidal people, it doesn't seem to apply to them either.)
If I ctb (which I will do if my husband dies before me) it will be something I decided many years beforehand.