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would you say (may be sensitive)...

Discussion in 'General Support and Advice' started by MerBear, Nov 19, 2014.

  1. MerBear

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    suicide attempts are addictive?
     
  2. rhapsodic

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    I'm not sure what you mean by addictive. As someone who has attempted suicide in the past before, I do have a couple things to say:

    I've only attempted suicide once, and it took a lot of courage. I was terrified that it wouldn't work, terrified that it would, terrified of what would happen, terrified that I would hurt someone in the process, etc. There was so much fear involved. I will admit that if I were to try again, it would probably be a lot easier for me. I feel like if I were suicidal, I'd be more likely to go through with any plans for suicide now than I was before because there seems to be less fear stopping me. Thankfully, I'm in therapy and my mental health has been improving slowly, but surely, so don't worry about me. :slight_smile: But anyway, if by "addictive", you mean something along the lines of becoming more likely to attempt suicide after you've attempted it before, then yeah, I guess...

    If you're speaking along the lines of suicidal thoughts being addictive, then I'd have to say yes. When you're depressed and mentally ill and life seems so utterly miserable and hopeless and you feel like you'll never be truly happy and that your life will never amount to anything, death seems like such a great idea. You can't help but think about it all the time, and your thoughts always seem to go back to that. You make a bunch of plans and think about all the possibilities and the thoughts just seem to take up all of the space in your mind. It's a pretty awful thing. When your life seems so hopeless and empty, there seems to be something so beautiful or romantic about suicide and you seem so drawn to it. So suicidal thoughts, in that sense, can be quite addictive. *Please keep in mind that this mindset is not healthy. I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. If you feel this way, go get help - you need it.*

    That's my opinion. I should probably add that I am not at risk at the moment. I do not encourage any kind of suicidal behavior. If you are suicidal, I urge you to get help immediately. Believe me when I say that suicide is not worth the try. If you are struggling, I hope things get better for you. (*hug*)
     
    #2 rhapsodic, Nov 19, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 19, 2014
  3. rhapsodic

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    I think I may have misinterpreted your question. I now realize you said "suicide attempts". I hope my answer is okay anyway. :slight_smile:
     
  4. Bella Vampire

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    I have never attempted suicide, nor do I plan to, but I can tell you this (something along the lines I guess) I can empathize in a way. I cut myself...and It does get addictive when life is really tough, or I'm having a shitty day.
     
  5. MerBear

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    like when you attempt once, is it easy to want to attempt again and again?
     
  6. gravechild

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    Not all those who attempt suicide attempt it again, but those who do attempt again, and are successful, have a history of them (usually).
     
  7. MerBear

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    i've attempted 4 times, it's addictive. i must say
     
  8. gravechild

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    Like anything else, the first time would be scary, there would be the possibility of failure, and a lack of experience. With some things, it would be a positive thing for it to get easier (driving, relationships, etc.), but for others, not so much.

    I suppose you'd have to differentiate whether or not you actually intend to kill yourself, or if it's more of a cry for help, or stress relief type of thing. Either way, it's not something I would encourage long-term.

    Another thing I'd do is analyze why you're having these urges. People usually aren't pre-disposed to attempting suicide, but certain illnesses can make it more likely, and of course, environmental and personal issues can increase them, too.
     
  9. Jax12

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    They're called addictions because of the feeling we get when we give in to it. In my case with porn, I'm addicted to it because it makes me orgasm (makes me feel good) and so the cycle repeats itself.

    I've attempted suicide before, but I have to feel like absolute shit to plan something. In retrospect, I imagined how good it would feel if all of the pain/suffering was over. Like closing your eyes, and never waking up.

    In that sense, suicide attempts can be addictive because you know the reward once you act on it. You know that once you do it, it'll all be over and you won't have to live another day to suffer. I never had the guts to do it though, even though much planning was done.

    That's my 2 cents. What do you think?
     
  10. Chip

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    This is a really complex and nuanced topic. One of the reasons it can be addictive is that, for most people, such an extreme act gets them attention. I'm not saying that attempting suicide is inherently an attention-seeking behavior, but it certainly can be. And to that extent, it works, because everyone, even strangers, will rally around someone considering ending his or her life.

    Of course, there are other, better, healthier ways to feel connection with others than attempting suicide, but it can be hard to see this when you are in the midst of a deep depression and don't see any other options.

    If you've attempted 4 times, and aren't currently in therapy or otherwise getting professional help, you really, really need to do so. This isn't something to fool around with, and anything that's going on for you now is not a permanent situation, but what you have considered is a permanent (and undesirable) solution to a temporary problem. I hope you can reach out and get the help you need and deserve.
     
  11. Celatus

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    No. Please seek some kind of psychiatric help, I've been in that kind of situation before I got treatment and let me tell you that I'm never going back.