Why does having access to a means of ctb or sh cause someone to be less likely to do it for a while / have less urges to do so in some cases?

[kdraft]

Thread title says the question, I'm just curious as to why it works that way with some people [it tends to in my case, and I can't quite place why]. I've tried to ask my therapist and she flat-out tells me that isn't how it works, and to get rid of anything I may have that if used, could result in me catching the bus or relapsing; and then she'll ask if I need to go to a mental hospital. I have a feeling she's wrong, and it doesn't really seem I can talk to her about it, so I've come here.

[Also, sorry if this type of question has already been posted before, I do not yet have access to the search function]

 

[SchizoGymnast]

It works as a means of desensitization/harm reduction. You accept the feelings and eventually the trigger will fade.

 

[kdraft]

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for answering my question

 

[SchizoGymnast]

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for answering my question

I'm in the exact same place. I know a lot about the subject.:)

 

[kdraft]

I'm in the exact same place. I know a lot about the subject.:)

That's cool that you know a lot about the subject

 

[CutToRelease]

Yeah I guess it reduces the panic of not having a way out ,of feeling cornered. I keep a razor in my phone case cause then I allways have the option to sh or ctb. No one can take my choice from me which makes me more in control so I have those urges less.

 

[kdraft]

Yeah I guess it reduces the panic of not having a way out ,of feeling cornered. I keep a razor in my phone case cause then I allways have the option to sh or ctb. No one can take my choice from me which makes me more in control so I have those urges less.

Yeah, I keep mine in my headphone case most of the time, or I have a pen that when clicked is actually a blade, and sometimes I keep it attach to my lanyard and people are none the wiser. Control as an idea to a means to an end is more comforting than I imagined it to be.

 

[Linda]

Thread title says the question, I'm just curious as to why it works that way with some people [it tends to in my case, and I can't quite place why]. I've tried to ask my therapist and she flat-out tells me that isn't how it works, and to get rid of anything I may have that if used, could result in me catching the bus or relapsing; and then she'll ask if I need to go to a mental hospital. I have a feeling she's wrong, and it doesn't really seem I can talk to her about it, so I've come here.

[Also, sorry if this type of question has already been posted before, I do not yet have access to the search function]

It is how it works, at least for many people. On this point, your therapist doesn't know what she is talking about. I think the reason it works is that it gives you some control over your life. You are no longer helplessly at the mercy of external forces.

 

[EmptyBottle]

It feels like an insurance plan, knowing that there are limits to existence that can be applied as a last resort.
And sometimes I think XYZ is not too bad, and CTB might not be ideal, and in random thoughts of how I'd react to unwanted situations, it then feels like the way out of the hypothetical, and other thoughts can be thought of.

 

[kdraft]

It feels like an insurance plan, knowing that there are limits to existence that can be applied as a last resort.
And sometimes I think XYZ is not too bad, and CTB might not be ideal, and in random thoughts of how I'd react to unwanted situations, it then feels like the way out of the hypothetical, and other thoughts can be thought of.

That's a great way to put it

 

[voidinsidemychest]

Because you can easily go out whenever you want to so you dont panic to do it asap, you take your time and keep pushing your lifespan by the day because why not

 

[Forever Sleep]

It's a really interesting question. There's that saying, isn't there: 'A prison becomes a home if you have the key.' Apparently attributed to George Sterling in reference to a vial of cyanide he caried and, eventually used.

I think, as other people have said, maybe it removes that panicked feeling of being trapped. I think we're more likely to do things impulsively when we are panicking- often caused by suffering or pain. If we know we have a way out, we can be more leisurely about it.

Probably depends on the person though. I think some methods may be a bit risky to have to hand if a person is prone to impulsivity or, even self harm. People have taken small amounts of SN in the past- more out of curiosity it seems and a self harm urge. I think we probably have to know ourselves as to what we're 'safe' with.

It likely varies person to person though. Having SN in the house for a few years now hasn't made me more tempted. I still intend to hold out for the 'proper' time for me. (When my Dad has gone first.) It makes me feel ever so slightly calmer though- that I have something to help me escape.

 

[timechained]

It creates a sense of peace, mostly relief.

Without a method of some sort the mind is prone to stress for an escape, where as having a method of some sort reduces that stress.

It is counter intuitive for non-suicidal people because for them they only understand it as access leading to means. They can't understand the peace it creates, only the the risk of death/pain.

But a person is going to try/look for something either way as a solution so it's better to have a method for peace of mind.