Discussion Does anyone really regret suicide or do they just regret using painful methods?

[nigelhernandez]

This is something the mainstream pro-life media constantly touts, "Most people who attempt suicide and survive immediately regret it". That's probably true but not for the reasons people say.

Many people who try suicide can unfortunately only access OTC drugs, hanging, firearms, which are very unreliable and can cause permanent disfiguration along with immense amounts of pain if not done properly. Anyone who survives a gunshot to the head might be too scared to attempt again for fear of the pain and becoming brain damage. Simialar with overdoses.

The human brain is at first built to avoid pain and even if someone is suicidal, their brain will choose to live over dying if death would bring themselves pain.

However, if these same people who regretted it were to access methods like poisoning with helium, carbon monoxide or overdose with strong opiates and benzos, would they have regretted it? Probably not.

 

[airboy_a380]

I don't regret my 6 attempts, in fact I became really upset cause I survived.

 

[Superdeterminist]

I do indeed suspect that much of attempters' regret stems from the pain associated with the undignified methods, which people are forced to use. If painless suicide was accessible, then regret wouldn't even have a chance to manifest - the dead do not regret.

 

[Linda]

This is something the mainstream pro-life media constantly touts, "Most people who attempt suicide and survive immediately regret it". That's probably true but not for the reasons people say.

Many people who try suicide can unfortunately only access OTC drugs, hanging, firearms, which are very unreliable and can cause permanent disfiguration along with immense amounts of pain if not done properly. Anyone who survives a gunshot to the head might be too scared to attempt again for fear of the pain and becoming brain damage. Simialar with overdoses.

The human brain is at first built to avoid pain and even if someone is suicidal, their brain will choose to live over dying if death would bring themselves pain.

However, if these same people who regretted it were to access methods like poisoning with helium, carbon monoxide or overdose with strong opiates and benzos, would they have regretted it? Probably not.

The mainstream pro-life media should remember that "All people who attempt suicide and succeed never regret it". They are past any possibility of regrets. You can not draw reliable conclusions about "All people who attempt suicide" from "All people who attempt suicide and fail". Also, their claim that all survivors regret it is almost certainly false. Many may regret the fact that they failed, but that's another matter.

 

[Wisdom3_1-9]

The media focuses on the stories of survivors who regret it, but that is most certainly not the majority. Given the number of people who attempt multiple times, it's clear that most people want to try again.

 

[DyingAlf]

This is something the mainstream pro-life media constantly touts, "Most people who attempt suicide and survive immediately regret it". That's probably true but not for the reasons people say.

Their numbers are probably skewed because there's some (many?) of of us that say that we regretted our attempt/s to make it less likely that we would get hospitalised, despite actually feeling regret that we failed & definite intentions to try again (as many times as it takes to successfully ctb)

 

[TAW122]

I believe they regret surviving because of having to deal with potentially permanent damage (being a vegetable, permanent loss of motor function, range of motion, etc), loss of freedom and rights (including being detained in a psych ward), and other consequences as a result of the failure. Others are also correct here that the people who succeeded cannot regret as they would lack the ability to do so (they are no longer conscious or alive to have capacity to regret). Also, yes instead of society just focus on preventing suicide at all costs, it's more humane and effective to address causes and situations that push people to become suicidal in the first place, but that's another topic altogether.

 

[CarbonMonoxide]

Many people who try suicide can unfortunately only access OTC drugs, hanging, firearms, which are very unreliable and can cause permanent disfiguration along with immense amounts of pain if not done properly.

I attempted once before at 15 using a ton of psychiatric meds. I woke up three days later disoriented but more so disappointed because I'd failed. Lol, my first thought was that I was in the afterlife, wondering why it looked and smelled like a hospital.

I believe the majority of people who fail at their attempts regret the failure itself. Imagine desperately wanting to escape a prison. You find a hidden tunnel in the basement and excitedly start to crawl through. You crawl and crawl for days, only to find yourself in the prison yard surrounded by angry guards. That's how I felt after my first attempt failed. I'll make sure the second succeeds, thanks to the info on ss.

 

[Jblack]

I think the regret is the survival and all the bs that comes after. Friends and Family that don't understand, doctors who think they know what is "wrong with you" and just want to pump you full of medications. And government rules and laws that treat those who wish to exit like they are public enemy number one. The Pro-Lifers are not doing anything to help but just to make themselves feel good. No one really understands what pain and suffering does to a person and that person's wish to escape that kind of "life". Those who survive a really carry a stigma with them and that I think is what causes regret and additional guilt.

 

[Ghost2211]

I'm sure a good number change their mind mid attempt, or after surviving. The real question is are they just afraid to die when their mortality becomes very real. Death can be much less scary in theory than practice, or other way around as well.

 

[BPD Barbie]

I'm sure a good number change their mind mid attempt, or after surviving. The real question is are they just afraid to die when their mortality becomes very real. Death can be much less scary in theory than practice, or other way around as well.

Probably this. But its a question we will never know the answer to fully as we can't ask anyone who was successful. For me, having had previous attempts I just felt regret I hadn't been successful and then fear because I was having to fight to survive and get through the after effects.

 

[Brick In The Wall]

There are too many factors and variables to accurately answer this question. Ask 10 people and get 10 different answers sort of thing.

 

[muffin222]

I believe they regret surviving because of having to deal with potentially permanent damage (being a vegetable, permanent loss of motor function, range of motion, etc), loss of freedom and rights (including being detained in a psych ward), and other consequences as a result of the failure. Others are also correct here that the people who succeeded cannot regret as they would lack the ability to do so (they are no longer conscious or alive to have capacity to regret). Also, yes instead of society just focus on preventing suicide at all costs, it's more humane and effective to address causes and situations that push people to become suicidal in the first place, but that's another topic altogether.

Very well said- I completely agree

 

[esse_est_percipi]

I don't agree with the framing of the issue by the OP. Hanging and firearms are not unreliable. If done correctly, they are methods that are very likely to result in ctb. They are amongst the most reliable methods.

Moreover, helium and CO can go wrong, and can also result in bad consequences.

Every method has its risks and drawbacks.

But N on the other hand...

 

[bigdog]

Yes I regret taking SN impulsively now I am suffering much more and miracle happened I don't want to CTB, maybe it deprived oxygen from some neuron connection

 

[yannyorlaurel]

This is the common line you always hear from people who jumped off bridges, I'm sure my body would trick me into regretting it if I went this way as well. Your brain is probably just thinking of any potential pain you'll feel if you survive the fall, and the sheer terror of the drop. So I'd have to say that painless and quick methods don't have time for your SI to create the sensation of regret.

 

[moonchild]

Other than the statistics potentially being skewed for various reasons (or outright fabricated, honestly) it seems weird to push this "most people regret it" thing, when it's generally accepted that one of the biggest risk factor for suicide is previous attempts. Clearly, a lot of people don't regret it.

 

[bigdog]

Shit i regret taking SN for testing impulsively. It messed me up even more

 

[fastFWD]

like many of you i do not regret my attempts (they were painless).
i will say this though, my dog whom i've had for almost 10 years now- i would not have been able to experience the unconditional love and trust that she has given me; I am very happy i got to share this amazing type of bond with at least someone before leaving this earth; it has brought me much fulfillment and satisfied my paternal instincts as well.

 

[sideswipe84]

Personally I have lost count of how many failed attempts I've made. I do regret that I wasn't successful, I keep looking for other ways that I have access too that have a high success rate.
Being completely honest, the pain and potential failure scares me. Many have said before and I feel the same way....if I'm going to do something with the end as my intention I need it to succeed, not to only wake up to find matters worse.

 

[fat feet]

This is something the mainstream pro-life media constantly touts, "Most people who attempt suicide and survive immediately regret it". That's probably true but not for the reasons people say.

Many people who try suicide can unfortunately only access OTC drugs, hanging, firearms, which are very unreliable and can cause permanent disfiguration along with immense amounts of pain if not done properly. Anyone who survives a gunshot to the head might be too scared to attempt again for fear of the pain and becoming brain damage. Simialar with overdoses.

The human brain is at first built to avoid pain and even if someone is suicidal, their brain will choose to live over dying if death would bring themselves pain.

However, if these same people who regretted it were to access methods like poisoning with helium, carbon monoxide or overdose with strong opiates and benzos, would they have regretted it? Probably not.

The reason why I am here is to not make those errors. I am not interested in discussing it, unless I meet my deceased Father after the fact.

 

[Meditation guide]

my dog whom i've had for almost 10 years now- i would not have been able to experience the unconditional love and trust that she has given me; I am very happy i got to share this amazing type of bond with at least someone before leaving this earth; it has brought me much fulfillment and satisfied my paternal instincts as well.

This is very beautiful. And I have gotten unconditional love and devotion from pets too. And I'm grateful to you for reminding me that there was indeed something wonderful that I experienced, the love and companionship of my pets.

 

[SunflowerBrains]

Personally, I've only regretted the fact that I survived. I'm sure some of these numbers are by people who are too scared to be locked away for eternity.

 

[carac]

I'm well into recovery and doing really well and and still don't regret my attempts. I made a rational decision given my circumstances at the time and with no help forthcoming i had no other choice.