To think suicidal ideation is almost normal?

[crunchymint]

By ideation I mean thinking of suicide, but making no real plans. I suspect that most people at some point in their lives, have vague suicidal thoughts. And although it is horrible to be distressed, I also suspect this is part of the human condition.
Obviously health professionals try and assess those with vague thoughts of suicide, from those who really are suicidal, and the latter need treatment and support.
AIBU to think this?

I have been this way all my life - a psychiatrist once told me that it's quite a common internal defence mechanism that often starts in childhood, so it feels totally normal until you realise other adults don't all have these thoughts. If you have gone through difficult experiences growing up then it can be a comfort to think ' well I could always just kill myself' so that the option of a way out seems available, even if it wouldn't be acted on. When this thought pattern starts from a young age it is very difficult to get out of it, but as long as you can distinguish between ideation and a serious intention then I don't think it poses a threat l, and thinking about suicide can actually be a good way to 'escape' mentally at times.

There is very little point to most of our lives - and no, creating more pointlessness (having children) does not negate that I don't believe that is true at all. What would you class as a life with a point is then?

I think that we have achieved by being alive. An everyday miracle yes, it's an amazing thing if you think about it.

I always assumed it was normal.
As for the poster who called it cowardice - the human body is wired to survive at all costs- do you have any idea the kind of mental strength it would take to overcome that. As for selfish- wanting someone to stay here in misery is selfish.
I hope one day we have euthanasia and it’s open to those who want to commit suicide (there would have to be lengthy psychological support requirements prior to it). Life in itself is a miracle but not everyone has a good life & no one asked to be born. It’s really draconian I feel, to keep people suffering. I think it would also reduce those who do it because if short term angst (I imagine heartbreak is quite common) if you have to see a psychologist regularly for several years before qualifying for euthanasia.

I agree. But I think there is sort of a spectrum of people who are highly suicide, living painful lives, those who verge into these thoughts but not in a dangerous way during a difficult life event/time and then the other end where life is so rosy you couldn't even contemplate it and death is terrifying.

In my teen years, due to a difficult home life, I dipped into that middle category and look back and realise how miserable and strangely lonely, lost and unstable I was despite lots of stable things in my life.
Now, I am very content and feel lucky for the good things I have. I know life can take a turn but very much could not imagine feeling so low or having such thoughts. I fear death greatly as I feel there is so much to do in life.

It is mad how a lifetime endures so many ups and downs and twists yet is so unique to the individual.

It's perfectly normal to think about your mortality like this. It's called "the call of the void" allthatsinteresting.com/call-of-the-void

Mostimproved that actually makes perfect sense.

I have random thoughts, knocking people's hats off, kicking people in the butt when they bend over, pushing people down escalators, stabbing people and suicide.
We have had discussions on this at work and it's not uncommon.
(I'd never actually do any of the above but the little voice always say what if....)

Tinthink it’s pretty normal too. It’s a get out plan when you’re not coming. It’s my safe place in my head.

*I think

*coping 🙄

I don't suppose many would understand, but in times of despair it can be a comfort to know that you could end it, even when really you wouldn't.

Thoughts like that have actually kept me going through tough days.

It can be escapism and also taking a bit of control back when you have none. I find it passes as quickly as it comes.

Suicidal ideation is more than a passing thought about what it's like to die, you're thinking about ending your life and specifically how you would do it. These are not common thought patterns for most

Totally the same with me Tall

YANBU always assumed it was normal too although Ive never felt in danger of actually committing suicide.

I've had it once, I was properly unwell and the planning out of my suicide was absolutely terrifying. (I told someone and got treated better for my illness.)
It's way different to a passing 'I wonder how I could commit suicide' thought in an otherwise well person. You'd know if you'd experienced it. I have rarely been as frightened.

It's perfectly normal to me to think of it but there is a difference from actually carrying it out, It was mentioned earlier it is the cowards way out, but the immense courage to carry this out is certainly not cowardly or the easy way out and I sometimes wonder if carrying on living is the easy painless way out

I don't believe anyone here can say whether it's normal or even if it's common, unless they're a mental health professional.

The mind is a complex thing, I think thoughts become a problem when they make guy become a reality, or they are severely affecting your quality of life.

@Tallzarathegreat exactly. But mental health professionals presumably usually only see people with mental health problems so their view will be skewed by that.

Thinking about suicide is probably normal if you have mental health issues but I wouldn't say it's normal in someone who is mentally healthy.

I think of it but no intention.
I work at the train station I often think could just jump on the tracks (I wouldn't!)
I often look at the multi storey car park and think could jump off that.
Or I'm type 1 diabetic and think stop taking my insulin.
I never would but I think it sometimes

jam There’s solid research showing that about ten percent of the population who are perfectly healthy and have no mental illness Hear voices.

I think suicidal ideation is fairly normal too.

We overmedicalise a lot of the spectrum of normal IMO.

I get it but slightly differently - it's not so much that I want to kill myself, more that (particularly when things are a bit stressful anyway) I imagine my funeral, how sad people would be and all the nice things they'd say about me I've done it for so long I don't even really notice I'm doing it anymore, I suppose it must be a self esteem thing.

But yes, I don't think it's that uncommon at all.

babelfish Agree that we over medicalise normal behaviour.
basil I used to do that as a teenager, in a kid of - they will be sorry then.

What does FOMO mean?

I don't think of it but I do. weirdly think about becoming intentionally homeless. I fantasise about how simple life would be. I know the reality would not be nice at all but I idealise it for some reason. I can't be the only one.

Ajas I don't fantasise about that as such but I do imagine just getting in my car and driving away, even to another country and just let bing in the woods or something. Ridiculous as I wouldn't last 5 minutes. It's just escapism.

I also fantasise about winning the lottery and I don't see it as far different.