i don't follow how someone whose defenses are being overwhelmed would be able to step of the survival path. on the contrary, they should be constantly in surviv

i don't follow how someone whose defenses are being overwhelmed would be able to step of the survival path. on the contrary, they should be constantly in survival mode such that they are not able to develop other necessary mechanisms to be able to function in society, or the defense mechanisms they develop get in the way of that normal functioning. suicide can easily explained with wanting to end the pain or fear of even greater pain. a key mechanism to develop growing up is trust and learning how to relate to others. i don't think "normal" growing up should keep us focused on survival. or am i misreading you?