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?

Yanbu. I think it’s just like exploring all possibilities in your head. Most people will never actually do it.

MostImproved, I think that's how it was for me. That said I think I've grown out of it a bit as I had a difficult time emotionally when DD was born but didn't think of suicide at all.

This is really interesting. I had bad depression in 2013 / 14 and I've said to my partner before that if I lived in the States I think I would probably be dead now - when I felt suicidal the only way I thought I would be able to do it was by shooting myself. Reading about it online in my worst days were actually quite comforting which scares me looking back at it.

Now reading this i definitely used to think about suicide even before I was ever depressed. Not wanting to do it but just that light switch thought of not dealing with anything anymore.

YANBU. I have thought about it many times but not with any real intent to do myself any harm.

I've thought about it in passing in the same way I imagine all kinds of things with no real intent. I think I like the idea of just being asleep forever and not having to deal with anything.

As pp have said, that's different to constant thoughts and/or having a plan.

Occasional intrusive thoughts about doing bad or dangerous things are totally normal, but they don't include any desire or intent. Whereas suicidal ideation is probably not that uncommon but not exactly 'normal' either.
I understand why people are getting upset at the "It's cowardly and selfish" comments, but it all comes down to whether you're seeing this from the point of view of the person committing suicide or their loved ones. We have no right to underestimate the pain of the suicidal person, but neither should we underestimate the pain of losing one's parent or child to suicide. Particularly since some of the reasons given for wanting to commit suicide are bereavements.

I think that the strong desire to keep existing, and the desire to reproduce are both forms of mental illness.

Surely they are just natural animal instincts which occur in all healthy animals including humans? Why would wanting to live be a sign of mental illness unless your life (for whatever reason) wasn't worth living?

It's a normal feeling for me too. It's like I know I can always escape if it came to it.... but I can't imagine every getting to that point, buts it's nice to have that 'option'. Hard to explain! I should say, I am actually reasonably happy with my life

So did I. Until I was diagnosed as clinically depressed and told suicide was certainly not uppermost on the mind of that much of the population. And despite the medication 8 still have lingering thoughts as well as 3 attempts.
Not proud of that either o hasten to add

Surely they are just natural animal instincts which occur in all healthy animals including humans? Why would wanting to live be a sign of mental illness Exactly. And @MirriVan What would you class a life with a point to be?

Speaking of strange thoughts and our existence being pointless.

Sometimes I imagine that we are a tiny part of something much bigger, a bit like ants and that out there there is an even bigger, more intelligent life form watching and studying us.

Perhaps you could tell me what you think the point to yours is instead? Brace yourself @MirriVan to have your mind blown

Everyone of us is an aperture through which the whole cosmos looks out - Alan Watts

Through our eyes the universe is perceiving itself.

Through our ears the universe is listening to it's harmonies.

Sometimes I imagine that we are a tiny part of something much bigger, a bit like ants and that out there there is an even bigger, more intelligent life form watching and studying us. I don't think that's strange Tallzarathegreat

Here's another quote MirriVan

Our role is not to understand but to appreciate - Terence McKenna