Why/How individual’s who are ill or suffering can (seemingly) “choose” to live or die, but in generally good health we cannot “choose” to simply let go in the same way?

Question

It just seems in certain age or conditions there is a point in which a person can hang on or let go. Why is this not something we have within us at all times? How does the body register this. I understand how organs must be working and bodily systems, too, but how/why does the mind/body only accept this choice to pass on only when suffering?

Edit: I am not referring to physically harming one’s self to end their own life, but more the mental, psychological, & perhaps spiritual realization/decision that automatically influences the body to shut down on its own.

In: Biology

Answer 1

A lot of it is that it “seemingly” happens that way, as you put it. People remember situations and tell stories about their loved ones (or even celebrities, viral stories etc) who seemed to hold on for something and then just let go and died. But they don’t remember all the ones who dies suddenly as much. So it is a perception thing. Also, we are pretty good at giving treatments that can prolong dying people’s lives. But when those treatments are stopped (say, when the whole family arrives), they die quickly.