How to overcome the fear of heights before jumping?

[Twartle]

I think the title is pretty self explanatory. Every time I look down, I get chills down my spine, and not even because of being scared to die but because of the height. What's the best way to overcome this?

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

I don't know and that's why I've given up on ever choosing this method. I can tell you what NOT to do if that's your goal: don't watch Bojack Horseman's second-last episode.

 

[Linda]

I don't think there is any easy way to overcome it. I did a lot of mountaineering when I was younger, so I am used to being on very steep slopes and in rather exposed situations. But even now I get uneasy if I am at the top of a big vertical drop. Of course, if you are going to jump, you need only experience those chills down your spine for a second or two, which is hardly long enough to matter.

 

[rozeske]

It could be you have acrophobia, that is one of the reasons I couldn't go with this method. You could try using blindfold or instead of jumping try to stand at the edge and fall back looking up. but I don't know if you would end up facing down, though it might not matter once you make the jump.

 

[Twartle]

I don't know and that's why I've given up on ever choosing this method. I can tell you what NOT to do if that's your goal: don't watch Bojack Horseman's second-last episode.

Now I'm DEFINITELY watching it

I don't think there is any easy way to overcome it. I did a lot of mountaineering when I was younger, so I am used to being on very steep slopes and in rather exposed situations. But even now I get uneasy if I am at the top of a big vertical drop. Of course, if you are going to jump, you need only experience those chills down your spine for a second or two, which is hardly long enough to matter.

Yeah it's only for a few seconds before you do it but it's still kinda scary and makes you heart beat so much faster

It could be you have acrophobia, that is one of the reasons I couldn't go with this method. You could try using blindfold or instead of jumping try to stand at the edge and fall back looking up. but I don't know if you would end up facing down, though it might not matter once you make the jump.

Is the best way to do it is just falling backwards from some platform like place? Or is it better to like kinda dive?
And yeah I think I definitely have acrophobia.

 

[mortuarymary]

Don't look down. But, honestly I don't know. I hate heights

 

[d2reason]

Despite relatively high success rate, jumping has this drawback. There's a lot of time for you to change your mind or for somebody to stop you.
I can't imagine the fear is much different from that of holding a gun to your head, but it's a lot longer.
Only thing that comes to mind is a benzo or ketamine would make it easier to follow through.

 

[Twartle]

Despite relatively high success rate, jumping has this drawback. There's a lot of time for you to change your mind or for somebody to stop you.
I can't imagine the fear is much different from that of holding a gun to your head, but it's a lot longer.
Only thing that comes to mind is a benzo or ketamine would make it easier to follow through.

I'd honestly think gun is a lot better because you don't have that time to regret the decision. Everything happens in a second.
I tried alcohol before trying but I got too lightheaded and kinda emotional(?) so it's not an option either.

 

[rozeske]

Is the best way to do it is just falling backwards from some platform like place? Or is it better to like kinda dive?

It is definitely prefered if you fall on your head. I honestly don't think there is a way of insuring that whether in swan dive or falling backwards, especially from a very tall place you might change positions? I don't know

 

[mortuarymary]

What if you change your mind 1/2 way down? You're fucked.

 

[H25pital Order]

Becoming a scaffolder or moonwalking towards a cliff edge. Failing that, ask for a push?

 

[d2reason]

I'd honestly think gun is a lot better because you don't have that time to regret the decision. Everything happens in a second.
I tried alcohol before trying but I got too lightheaded and kinda emotional(?) so it's not an option either.

Alcohol is a devilish drug whether you're trying to die or not.

What if you change your mind 1/2 way down? You're fucked.

Seems like hardly a consideration.

 

[mortuarymary]

Alcohol is a devilish drug whether you're trying to die or not.

Seems like hardly a consideration.

I know, but it would probably happen to me. Hence, not my go to method.

 

[Twartle]

What if you change your mind 1/2 way down? You're fucked.

I think it's better not to survive after this rather than survive but be left as a vegetable

Alcohol is a devilish drug whether you're trying to die or not.

Yeah it fucking sucks if we're being honest

 

[d2reason]

I know, but it would probably happen to me. Hence, not my go to method.

Not mine either, but I think jumping off the Golden Gate would be an ideal, beautiful death. It would be worth it.
But much like N2, they have put many obstacles before it.

 

[mortuarymary]

Not mine either, but I think jumping off the Golden Gate would be an ideal, beautiful death. It would be worth it.
But much like N2, they have put many obstacles before it.

I'm reading about that at the moment. I think I could jump into water. But not on concrete

 

[Twartle]

I'm reading about that at the moment. I think I could jump into water. But not on concrete

I honestly think water is more scary. Imagine you survive the fall, but you can't do anything. You'd just drown, and it's much more painful than just dying on the impact.

 

[Tears in Rain]

What if you change your mind 1/2 way down? You're fucked.

I think that's what @Dr Iron Arc was referring to.

 

[d2reason]

I'm reading about that at the moment. I think I could jump into water. But not on concrete

As far as lethality, it doesn't make a difference, but I think I would hate to die at my local skyscraper because it's a grimy place. On the other hand, I've always been enchanted by the SF Bay and would be very happy to die there.

I honestly think water is more scary. Imagine you survive the fall, but you can't do anything. You'd just drown, and it's much more painful than just dying on the impact.

From what I recall, most deaths off the Golden Gate go about like this. You break your bones, become unable to swim, and drown. However, landing headfirst could cause an near-instant death by TBI. I used to dive as a child and I have drowned before; these things are not as scary as they seem.

 

[Dr Iron Arc]

I think that's what @Dr Iron Arc was referring to.

Yup. That's the one. That poem is actually the very reason I found this website because I was trying to look up the transcript for this poem and apparently someone posted it here a long enough time ago for it to show up on Google.

 

[mortuarymary]

As far as lethality, it doesn't make a difference, but I think I would hate to die at my local skyscraper because it's a grimy place. On the other hand, I've always been enchanted by the SF Bay and would be very happy to die there.

From what I recall, most deaths off the Golden Gate go about like this. You break your bones, become unable to swim, and drown. However, landing headfirst could cause a near-instant death by TBI. I used to dive as a child and I have drowned before; these things are not as scary as they seem.

So if I go feet first, I'm ok?

 

[d2reason]

So if I go feet first, I'm ok?

If by "ok" you mean you have chance to survive with crippling injuries, yeah. The survivors do have great stories to tell about wanting to live afterwards though.

 

[mortuarymary]

If by "ok" you mean you have chance to survive with crippling injuries, yeah. The survivors do have great stories to tell about wanting to live afterwards though.

I mean I die.

 

[d2reason]

I mean I die.

Feet-first, highest chance of survival. Head-first, highest chance of death. I guess you do have some variety here, but overall, jumping is highly effective.

 

[Morte]

you don't overcome.
When the time comes, just don't think about anything and jump.

 

[FuneralCry]

Jumping sounds like a terrifying method to me which is why I admire those who choose to ctb in such a way, I see them as so courageous. I imagine that many who managed to ctb just got desperate/determined enough to free themselves from this existence.

 

[Captive_Mind515]

What if you change your mind 1/2 way down? You're fucked.

What if you change your mind about living 1/2 way through...? Oh yeah you're still fucked.

There is that famous guy who is all over youtube, saying he regretted jumping off the golden gate bridge. But for some reason, people think he represents every person who made the same jump, which is a pretty arrogant stance to take. He represents one person and their unique life story.

 

[mortuarymary]

What if you change your mind about living 1/2 way through...? Oh yeah you're still fucked.

There is that famous guy who is all over youtube, saying he regretted jumping off the golden gate bridge. But for some reason, people think he represents every person who made the same jump, which is a pretty arrogant stance to take. He represents one person and their unique life story.

I read about him yesterday