The Psychological Aspects Of Survival

[Snow Walker]

I wasn't sure of where to put this and to be honest I think it should have it's own place on the forum. Let's face it, this should open up a ton of discussion for everyone to look at and get involved in.

The will to survive is the number 1 aspect of survival and it looks like to we have a very knowlegable group of people here that should have plenty of imput, from those who have seen combat to those who have honestly lived longer then some of us and can talk from experience.

If you really think about it, this is coming face to face with reality and knowing how to handle it is vital. One night in the woods alone can make you deal with your true self, so can you imagine how a pro-longed survival situation could effect us.

*PTSD, Depression, anxiety among numerous other mental health issues.
*The loss of loved ones.
*What will it take to push yourself?
*Loss of access to medications for some people and/or the need for medications on a new basis because of what could affect you.
*Panic, suicide, overwhelming fear.
*Simply not really knowing what you are capable of until you are actually in a certain position.
*Companionship, a shoulder to lean on.
*The unfortunate possibility of having to take a life even if it is a legitimate life or death situation. It will affect you whether you think it will or not!
*Lack of counselors/Docters
*Dealing with addictions for those that have a need for anything in their life now whether it be cigarettes or illegal drugs.
*Dealing with people who have no remorse for others.
*Knowing how to treat someone that needs help.
*Keeping your belief system or having to modify it.
*Knowledge of what medications are used for what and their side affects.
*Knowing your strengths and weakness not to mention those of people around you.
*Pushing yourself when you think you can't go any further.
*A childs needs vs. an adults needs.
*Being a good listener
*Knowing how to recognize signs in youself and others that something is wrong and/or different.


I know this type of thing is hard to talk about and can create fear in itself, but it has to be looked at and talked about. I firmly believe stepping out of your comfort zone on issues like this or even general survival skills is the only way of seeing what you are made of or capable of. The fact is we are all capable of much more then we think.

I really hope we get alot of imput here because this is so important and a chance for all of us to learn from each other.

Take Care

[Echo2]

Like any stress....you really don't know how you are going to react to it until you are put under it. I have friends that have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan.....had seen some of the most brutal combat of modern day. Some said that's it....no more.....some couldn't wait for their next deployment.

The stress of a major SHTF...or TEOTWAWKI....is something that some may feel they have a idea of.....but have never really experienced it....in fact....very few in the USA ever have. I have a couple friends that left Russia....and one that left Haiti....they all left because the life that they had built for themselves.....was gone....with no real aspects of it coming back. I'm sure they have an idea of stress.

I hope that I will be able to hold myself together for my family. I prepare for this by having a group....essentially a large support staff. I understand completely that it will not be a cake walk by any stretch of the imagination....but I feel that we have made an environment that my family can feel safe in....learn in....and even thrive in.....even if it breaks away from the socialistic norm.

Personally....I have always been the one...that when the situation is going FUBAR....will step back....survey the situation...make a plan...and act. It's nothing I have any real formal training in....but I can assess a situation and improvise as necessary. I despise wasting effort....and it has served me well for my years thus far.

I know stress...one way in manifest its self in me....is I'll bite down in my sleep...not grind teeth...but bite....I have bitten my tongue hard...waking with a mouth full of blood. I use a few relaxation techniques to chill out before going to bed....if I'm bugging out over something. So far....so good.

It's a good topic...but it is HUGE. and is also something that a lot of folks wont be able to relate to. Stress...however...is relative....something that would crumble my world....may not be a big deal to you...and vice verse.

I look at Stress as a problem....if you turn your back on it....it still exist....you can either solve the problem....or modify your own behavior to cope with the problem....if it cannot be solved (some solve slower than others).....that's the only options I see.

[Domdabears]

Yeah, especially if it's a group surviving.
There would be lots of arguments and disagreeing.
Too much conflict wouldn't sit well with me.
I think being in a smaller group would be my best fit.
My biggest worry would be conflict over food rationing.
Everyone gets cranky when they're hungry.

[Echo2]

Yeah, especially if it's a group surviving.
There would be lots of arguments and disagreeing.
Too much conflict wouldn't sit well with me.
I think being in a smaller group would be my best fit.
My biggest worry would be conflict over food rationing.
Everyone gets cranky when they're hungry.

We have planned for a diet of an average of 3k calories a day per person....for about 18 months......gotta feed the work....

[Snow Walker]

This is exactly what I was looking for in this thread...people just getting involved and adding to the topic as we go. There are so many aspects to think about because we are all different. Echo is right, what might bug some people won't bother others. I know of guys who volunteered to go back to Iraq because they couldn't readjust to being home. Unfortunately this is how some with PTSD solice and it's really sad in my opinion because it will most likely catch up to them sooner or later.

I hope this thread gives us something to think about and everyone respects each others views. In so many cases there are no right or wrong answers because we are all individuals.

*Some forms of stress are good and some are not.
*How you handle a situation being physically healthy may differ from how you handle it if your sick.
*Like Echo said, some people sit back and think first, while others will react right away...to be honest I think both types of people have there advantages and disadvantages.
*The fact is we are all human, but we are all different so understanding the "big picture" and how a bad situation can affect others so much differently is vital in long term survival.
*There will be times when we need the types that think things through and there will be times we need those you will not hesitate.

Thanks for adding to the thread you guys and bringing up some good points!

[PT945]

Stress comes in many forms.. from the everyday stress of work, money, family, now over time the " normal stress' " can lead to much larger problems .. stress in even the mildest forms need to be addressed and taken care of.

[Echo2]

Stress is a part of life....and can come about at any point in time....

We take vacations to get away from stress....that's a bunch of bologna....it's either a bunch of fun, relaxing, or both.....wrapped up in a bunch of stress...:). You essentially take yourself out of your comfort zone and go to a place that is different....foreign if you will...to try to get away. You know that you're going to be dealing with a bunch of sheep that would freak out if they knew how you lived your day to day life.

What about the holidays?....who here has had a stress free holiday. I look forward to them.....but I look forward to them being over more.

Heck....I don't even like going to the mall...I feel like I'm on constant "over watch". How's that phrase go..."Be polite.....but have a plan to kill everyone you meet".

Living under the "O"....has increased my stress level considerably....

But all in all.....stress I feel keeps you on your toes....but when it becomes a problem....it should be dealt with accordingly.

life without stress would be boring as hell....

[Domdabears]

We have planned for a diet of an average of 3k calories a day per person....for about 18 months......gotta feed the work....

Wow, really? For how many people?
Did you get one of those E-Foods deals or something?

[Snow Walker]

Stress is a part of life....and can come about at any point in time....

We take vacations to get away from stress....that's a bunch of bologna....it's either a bunch of fun, relaxing, or both.....wrapped up in a bunch of stress...:). You essentially take yourself out of your comfort zone and go to a place that is different....foreign if you will...to try to get away. You know that you're going to be dealing with a bunch of sheep that would freak out if they knew how you lived your day to day life.

What about the holidays?....who here has had a stress free holiday. I look forward to them.....but I look forward to them being over more.

Heck....I don't even like going to the mall...I feel like I'm on constant "over watch". How's that phrase go..."Be polite.....but have a plan to kill everyone you meet".

Living under the "O"....has increased my stress level considerably....

But all in all.....stress I feel keeps you on your toes....but when it becomes a problem....it should be dealt with accordingly.

life without stress would be boring as hell....

Seems we see eye to eye on alot of things, especially the holidays and the whole "obozo" thing by the way which I don't even want to get started on. The wife is cooking right now and I don't want to lose my appetitte!

[Echo2]

Wow, really? For how many people?
Did you get one of those E-Foods deals or something?

20+.....We have a nutritionalist that has took surveys of what we commonly eat....and basically came as close to our usual diets as possible.

We have ordered most things in bulk....and are now finding that we are using more LTS in our primary diets....which is good....as not to experience stomach and intestine discomfort when we begin the transision to complete LTS foods....we regularly replenish.

We hit 1 year....and then continued to do the "buy cheap...stack deep". Buy on sale....use coupons.....what have you. We also will generally go with the $10.00 rule when shopping....that is....buy $10.00 worth of LTS food every trip to the store. If you do this....you'll find that it brings stores up to amazing levels quickly.

You always tend to hear "beans and rice"....which is good....but try eating only that for a couple weeks.....yikes....and whew...:). Spices were currency for a reason.

Look in your cabinets....buy more of that....and try to start cooking from stores...or food that is similar to stores....to make the transision easier. This is especially relavent with kids....they can be bull headed....and that is a stress that you do not need in the event...

[oldsoldier]

I wasn't sure of where to put this and to be honest I think it should have it's own place on the forum. Let's face it, this should open up a ton of discussion for everyone to look at and get involved in.

The will to survive is the number 1 aspect of survival and it looks like to we have a very knowlegable group of people here that should have plenty of imput, from those who have seen combat to those who have honestly lived longer then some of us and can talk from experience.

If you really think about it, this is coming face to face with reality and knowing how to handle it is vital. One night in the woods alone can make you deal with your true self, so can you imagine how a pro-longed survival situation could effect us.

*PTSD, Depression, anxiety among numerous other mental health issues.
*The loss of loved ones.
*What will it take to push yourself?
*Loss of access to medications for some people and/or the need for medications on a new basis because of what could affect you.
*Panic, suicide, overwhelming fear.
*Simply not really knowing what you are capable of until you are actually in a certain position.
*Companionship, a shoulder to lean on.
*The unfortunate possibility of having to take a life even if it is a legitimate life or death situation. It will affect you whether you think it will or not!
*Lack of counselors/Docters
*Dealing with addictions for those that have a need for anything in their life now whether it be cigarettes or illegal drugs.
*Dealing with people who have no remorse for others.
*Knowing how to treat someone that needs help.
*Keeping your belief system or having to modify it.
*Knowledge of what medications are used for what and their side affects.
*Knowing your strengths and weakness not to mention those of people around you.
*Pushing yourself when you think you can't go any further.
*A childs needs vs. an adults needs.
*Being a good listener
*Knowing how to recognize signs in youself and others that something is wrong and/or different.


I know this type of thing is hard to talk about and can create fear in itself, but it has to be looked at and talked about. I firmly believe stepping out of your comfort zone on issues like this or even general survival skills is the only way of seeing what you are made of or capable of. The fact is we are all capable of much more then we think.

I really hope we get alot of imput here because this is so important and a chance for all of us to learn from each other.

Take Care

I think people are going to underestimate the pure shock value of SHTF Day greatly. It will be a time people start realizing that life and the world as we knew it have changed possibly forever. That's a whole lot to accept quickly and I would expect some numbing out initially before the different degrees of anxiety, depression, anger, sleeping problems and survivor guilt show up. One or more of these will affect someone in the group in different severities from mild and functioning to the other extreme of not able to function.

It might be necessary to designate one person as a psychological medic and morale officer. If that means talking in a group, bringing meds or herbs as possible for some relief of symptoms I believe it well worth it. I also see a need for SOME recreational items such as a deck of cards, scrabble etc. to get the minds off 24/7 365 we never close survival. Some books for reading would help as well. I'm in no way suggesting this to be a camping trip quite the opposite. There is going to be a need for down time for the mind during waking hours since the drastic change in lifestyle will take time to adjust to.

A very necessary topic, thanks, and let me think on it some more I'm sure I can add some ideas and suggestions.

[Domdabears]

I think people are going to underestimate the pure shock value of SHTF Day greatly.

Yeah I agree. Most here in the US really don't know. Unless you were in Katrina, or that town recently with the tornado.
I know they got some kind of support, but It was the closest thing to SHTF for them.
Luckily for me, so far it's been when the power goes out during a storm.

[Snow Walker]

I think people are going to underestimate the pure shock value of SHTF Day greatly. It will be a time people start realizing that life and the world as we knew it have changed possibly forever. That's a whole lot to accept quickly and I would expect some numbing out initially before the different degrees of anxiety, depression, anger, sleeping problems and survivor guilt show up. One or more of these will affect someone in the group in different severities from mild and functioning to the other extreme of not able to function.

It might be necessary to designate one person as a psychological medic and morale officer. If that means talking in a group, bringing meds or herbs as possible for some relief of symptoms I believe it well worth it. I also see a need for SOME recreational items such as a deck of cards, scrabble etc. to get the minds off 24/7 365 we never close survival. Some books for reading would help as well. I'm in no way suggesting this to be a camping trip quite the opposite. There is going to be a need for down time for the mind during waking hours since the drastic change in lifestyle will take time to adjust to.

A very necessary topic, thanks, and let me think on it some more I'm sure I can add some ideas and suggestions.

I hope you do add more seeing that so much of what you said makes so much sense. It's amazing to be honest, how the small things can really pick up a persons spirit. Just look at what a soldiers communication with home can do for not only him, but also the family back home. I often think people forget about what the families go through back home.

Having plans is important, but it really is amazing to see how the best made plans can fall to pieces when everything starts going crazy.

Thanks for jumping in!

[Skyowl's Wife]

I think people are going to underestimate the pure shock value of SHTF Day greatly.

I absolutely agree. I've encountered people/posters who say dumb stuff like, "Bring it, I'm ready!"

I don't think anyone truly is. Reading FerFal showed how right we are.

[Echo2]

I absolutely agree. I've encountered people/posters who say dumb stuff like, "Bring it, I'm ready!"

I don't think anyone truly is. Reading FerFal showed how right we are.

That's as bad as when you hear someone say "what this country needs is a revolution.".........I ask....when has that ever faired well for the average citizen?