• ⚠️ UK Access Block Notice: Beginning July 1, 2025, this site will no longer be accessible from the United Kingdom. This is a voluntary decision made by the site's administrators. We were not forced or ordered to implement this block.

oooobeeeeii

oooobeeeeii

Tired
Mar 18, 2023
145
Just tell me difference im stupid sorry
 
FuneralCry

FuneralCry

Just wanting some peace
Sep 24, 2020
45,830
I think that the "will to live" refers to a desire to continue existing while I believe that the survival instinct is basically an irrational instinct to try and keep someone alive, as humans we are wired to want to avoid harm and we are programmed to survive. The survival instinct often kicks in when one is in the process of trying to ctb, it makes them more likely to back out of their plans. As humans we have evolved to have this instinct, someone can desperately wish to die but still struggle to go through with ctb because of the survival instinct.
 
  • Like
Reactions: imlookingforward, Ki_Nam and Anon1337
O

orca87

Mage
Mar 22, 2023
529
I think "will" and "instinct" are different things.
You can "willfully" breathe through your nose (instead of mouth), and you can "willfully" hold your breath. But you cannot "instinctively" stop breathing.

No matter how hard you want (will), you cannot die from holding your breath (instinct)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Forever Sleep
F

Forever Sleep

Earned it we have...
May 4, 2022
13,558
I think instincts are knee jerk reactions to keep us safe. We are hard wired to avoid things that can potentially hurt and kill us. To some extent, I think these physical motions can be involuntary- if you accidentally put your hand in boiling water, you will automatically recoil before you have had time to think about it. It takes tremendous will I imagine to knowingly and prolongingly hurt yourself. I guess that's why so many suicide methods are quick- one action with as little chance as possible for our bodies to try and avoid the danger.

I think a will to live is more of a long term drive to overcome obstacles in life because of some inner feeling that it will somehow be worth it in the end.
 
BlackWednesday

BlackWednesday

Student
Oct 18, 2022
112
Yes they're very different. Will to live is just the desire to keep living and it is something you can feel at any time. SI is an adrenline rush that kicks in during life or death situations and compels you to stay alive regardless of your desires.
 
D

Dying Alive 00

Member
Mar 23, 2023
60
I see it as this - will to live is what people who have good lives, few problems, no illness and so on, feel most days

Survival instinct is irrational but overpowering nonsense that kicks in when people who don't want to live, don't want it

I wish there was a way to switch it off
 

Similar threads

immolation
Replies
15
Views
760
Suicide Discussion
arcticmonkey
arcticmonkey
mafulie
Replies
1
Views
297
Suicide Discussion
penguinl0v3s
penguinl0v3s
Remy_is_tired
Replies
3
Views
241
Recovery
orpheus_
orpheus_
nooneyouknow
Replies
4
Views
327
Suicide Discussion
CatAstro.Fee
CatAstro.Fee
A
Replies
0
Views
157
Suicide Discussion
antiqueantipodean
A