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It would be interesting to talk to these people and ask if it was the suicide attempt itself that made them not attempt again. If you prevent the attempt will i

It would be interesting to talk to these people and ask if it was the suicide attempt itself that made them not attempt again. If you prevent the attempt will it have the same effect?

staticautomatic 7y ago
I think it probably depends on whether they tried because they lost all their coping mechanisms or because they were angry. I'm one of the former and I don't think I'd ever attempt it again but it seems people who attempt as an act of rage are more likely to repeat. I'm not confident that stopping someone would have the same effect as them living through it.
aj91fl48znv3mpk 7y ago
Speaking for myself, virtually all self administered methods used can be quite painful with an uncertain outcome, due to imperfect information. As I started going through an attempt, as the pain increased, I backed off and realized I had no idea what I was doing and needed to stop. I suppose people that attempt suicide don't see another way of solving whatever they perceive to be the doomsday singularity in their life.
DoreenMichele 7y ago
I attempted suicide at age 17. I have been hospitalized twice on a suicide watch. For me, yes, the failed attempt has served as a deterrent. Due to various intractable issues, my life has sucked for a long time. Adding more scars, more people thinking I'm merely crazy and more medical bills won't in any way enhance my life. I don't want to survive another failed attempt and I'm usually in no position to make sure I succeed. So, for me, yes, it's been a factor. /Anecdata
bayesian_horse 7y ago
In my opinion the misconception is that suicidal ideation means no will for self-preservation. On the opposite, the urge to think, speak and act on suicidal ideation is at odds with various other emotions and instincts. One way of threading this needle is to perform attempts which are obviously going to fail, maybe eben intentionally so. It may take any kind of attempt, be it intentionally or accidentally unsuccessful to lead to treatment or at least the acknowledgement of all parties involved that the problem is actually bigger than a bout of self-pity or lack of character.
rincebrain 7y ago
I know people who have said the primary reason they don't attempt suicide again is not that they feel life is improving or worth living, but because each attempt further reduced their QoL and they're terrified of what another unsuccessful attempt might yield.

It would be interesting to talk to these people and ask if it was the suicide attempt itself that made them not attempt again. If you prevent the attempt will it have the same effect?

staticautomatic 7y ago

I think it probably depends on whether they tried because they lost all their coping mechanisms or because they were angry. I'm one of the former and I don't think I'd ever attempt it again but it seems people who attempt as an act of rage are more likely to repeat. I'm not confident that stopping someone would have the same effect as them living through it.

aj91fl48znv3mpk 7y ago

Speaking for myself, virtually all self administered methods used can be quite painful with an uncertain outcome, due to imperfect information. As I started going through an attempt, as the pain increased, I backed off and realized I had no idea what I was doing and needed to stop. I suppose people that attempt suicide don't see another way of solving whatever they perceive to be the doomsday singularity in their life.

DoreenMichele 7y ago

I attempted suicide at age 17. I have been hospitalized twice on a suicide watch. For me, yes, the failed attempt has served as a deterrent. Due to various intractable issues, my life has sucked for a long time. Adding more scars, more people thinking I'm merely crazy and more medical bills won't in any way enhance my life. I don't want to survive another failed attempt and I'm usually in no position to make sure I succeed. So, for me, yes, it's been a factor. /Anecdata

bayesian_horse 7y ago

In my opinion the misconception is that suicidal ideation means no will for self-preservation. On the opposite, the urge to think, speak and act on suicidal ideation is at odds with various other emotions and instincts. One way of threading this needle is to perform attempts which are obviously going to fail, maybe eben intentionally so. It may take any kind of attempt, be it intentionally or accidentally unsuccessful to lead to treatment or at least the acknowledgement of all parties involved that the problem is actually bigger than a bout of self-pity or lack of character.

rincebrain 7y ago

I know people who have said the primary reason they don't attempt suicide again is not that they feel life is improving or worth living, but because each attempt further reduced their QoL and they're terrified of what another unsuccessful attempt might yield.