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to want to die without making anyone sad?

322 replies

Emerging · 23/08/2012 17:59

(namechange) I wanted to post in the thread about supernatural experiences that was here a while ago, but it seems it is now quite old (things move fast in mumsnet!), and also maybe I should post this as it stands because I find myself in an massive dilemna and wanted to kind of reach out to others... both to ground myself, and to share an experience.

This is to do with the inner voice. Not inner ?voices? as in schizophrenia, but that one clear, pure, true voice at the core of your soul that you can only hear when everything else in your mind is silent.

I had a major life event recently (weeks ago) and something switched in my brain that had been building for a long time? to start just listening to that voice and following it. Keeping my mind quiet of all doubts and fears and just communicating quietly and honestly with that one small voice.

I quite quickly reached a point of what I can only describe as absolute stillness and contentment inside, with just my own ?outer? voice, and that small ?inner? voice quietly conversing like two old friends. I felt like I finally understood everything that life was about.

And then I received (days ago) what I can only describe as a gentle ?invitation?, to cross over. It wasn?t said in those words, but I knew the message in my heart, almost telepathically. It was an invitation to die, to step into ?the light?, to leave this world behind and be born into the world of the ?inner voice?, whatever that is. I don?t mean it was asking me to kill myself? I just knew that if I accepted I would die naturally right there and then.

It was the most REAL thing I have ever experienced, and the fear that welled up in me was too great. I wanted to accept so badly, but my life right now feels perfect and I found it so hard to imagine my loved ones coming home to find me dead and all the grief they would have to go through.

I couldn't say yes to the invitation, but I did say I would like to look in the outer world to see if many others are having this kind of experience, and to share my own if not (I also want to ground myself to make sure I'm not crazy), and my inner voice seemed happy with that? so here I am.

This is my experience. Are there others out there? If death really is a transition, then raising awareness of it would make the process (both for the dying and the left behind) so much easier.

I can't describe how torn I felt between really, really wanting to 'step into the light' and see what might be waiting there, and the pain of leaving everyone I loved behind. Not even just my own pain, but imagining their pain at finding me gone... at a time when everyone is so happy. Is it selfish to want to go? Should I talk to my family about it (or will it throw them into confusion?) Am I crazy?

OP posts:
Alameda · 23/08/2012 19:56

is your baby just a few weeks old, is that the major life event?

FireBat · 23/08/2012 20:14

Emerging, I replied to your post earlier because I have been in your situation.

What I didn't say, because I didn't want to scare you, was that I progressed from having the calm, 'invitation' thoughts to having much more frightening thoughts and images about death. The progression happened gradually, then suddenly and I actually took an overdose before I received the help I needed and got better.

I am immensely grateful to be alive and I know though that those thoughts were all tricks of the mind related to depression. Please tell a family member exactly how you are feeling and ask them to call an out of hours doctor. Make sure you are not alone as your thoughts might change quickly.

I understand that you know what depression feels like and that your current state seems different - but please believe me- it can take different forms. You love your family and you say you say you are happy, let then make some decisions to help you while you process your feelings.

YellowDinosaur · 23/08/2012 20:20

With what you have posted I would be very concerned you may have puerperal psychosis and could be in significant danger if you don't seek help. Please tell your dp and your gp and do it tonight. Go to a&e if you get no joy from your go. If I am right it can deteriorate very quickly - I have experience of this in a close family member. You need help and you need it NOW.

Northernlurkerisonholiday · 23/08/2012 20:31

OP - please talk to your family and friends about this. I know you feel ok, good in fact, but the situation you are describing is not as most people experience and I think the other posters are right and it puts you at risk. You are so important for your baby and your family, and you know that which is why you didn't follow up on the invitation. Please hold on to that, your importance to everyone who loves you and talk some more to people in RL.

peedoffbird · 23/08/2012 20:31

I feel quite chilled by your name too and I agree with Yellow that you may be suffering from Puerpuel Psychosis brought on by the birth of your child. I think you need to get yourself some help TONIGHT in case things escalate later. please take care of yourself and talk to your dh about this now.

bunnywhack · 23/08/2012 20:32

Are you on your own there op? How old is baby now perhaps get someone to read this thread and then phone out of hours for you or if you are still under mw care they will be able to help. You do need to speak to someone tonight

Iamsparklyknickers · 23/08/2012 20:37

firebat has pretty much communicated the worry, it's great that you feel so peaceful and spiritual now, but if things change and this invitation that seems so inviting when your happy can you appreciate the danger of how easy it would be for you to take it? it might seem unlikely but remember your experiences with depression and how easy it is to slip into certain behaviours without any control.

Please seek some real professional advice, congratulations on your baby, please look out for her mum in every way possible.

80sMum · 23/08/2012 20:38

Death is not a "transition", at least not into anything meaningful anyway. Death is simply the end of life. Nothing comes after it. When it's over it's over. Life is not some kind of dress rehearsal. This is it. This is all there is. Live it! Grasp it! Hold onto it! Know how lucky you are just to be here.

JustFabulous · 23/08/2012 20:43

Do you want to die?

You said you do in your title.

Your baby needs you and you have to go and talk to someone for his/her sake. Tomorrow.

WookieWoo · 23/08/2012 20:46

Emerging. Without wishing to add stress, I am very concerned about what you have written this evening. Please, please go to A&E now. Ask to see the psychiatric liaison nurse immediately. You need help and you need it now. Take you baby with you if there is no one home to care for it.

Please take care and if you get a chance please come back to the thread to let us know you and your baby are safe.

Chubfuddler · 23/08/2012 20:53

You may feel very calm and rational but from what you are posting I think you sound very very ill. If you are still under the care of your midwife please ring her NOW. otherwise I would go to A&E.

Rhinestone · 23/08/2012 20:54

OP, there was a piece on post-natal psychosis on Women's Hour earlier this week. Please please get some help, this is a very very serious illness.

The suggestion to print this thread off is an excellent one, please do it.

You really aren't in your right mind, please believe us.

lowfatiscrap12 · 23/08/2012 20:54

this sounds exactly like puerperal psychosis, which is a very dangerous life threatening mental illness. Please listen to the advice you've been given to go to A&E and print out this thread to show them at the hospital.

Justme23 · 23/08/2012 20:59

Please OP go to a professional as soon as you can, and I do suggest you print out your OP to show them.

There is definitely a place for spirituality but this is not it.

You are in a very vulnerable place at the moment and I do feel that this is serious enough to warrant checking on.

stella1w · 23/08/2012 20:59

Pls go to a and e right now. You have just had a baby and are in an altered mental state which is not normal. It sounds like right now it is a positive experience but i agree with the others that it cd turn nasty and you and your baby are in danger.

Chubfuddler · 23/08/2012 21:02

www.puerperalpsychosis.org.uk/site/conditions/psychosis.html

This sounds a lot like you describe op. please seek help. Now.

OurPlanetNeptune · 23/08/2012 21:02

Emerging I have been watching this thread all evening and after seeing what FireBat and YellowDinosaur have written I am encouraged to tell you that my friend could have written your OP almost word for word. After confiding these things to me she went on suffer psychosis. I hope you speak to your GP and/or health visitor. My friend did and she is doing so much better now.

missalarmclockhater · 23/08/2012 21:08

I think I know what you mean, or at least have some idea without actually having experienced it in those exact forms. I have very strong fantasies (although they aren't really) about dying quietly and like to think of my dead body, lying in a coffin or (more recently) buried somewhere quiet.

Sometimes if I am between sleep and wakefulness I will suddenly think "I want to die" because I think that I do - I would like to die but I'm not suicidal?

I suspect I'm a bit depressed, though.
x

Iamsparklyknickers · 23/08/2012 21:11

Emerging, I hope you've gone off to see about some help, but if not is there anyone there with you now that you would be willing to show this thread to? Surely someone who cares about you and knows you would be able to judge whether or not you should be concerned?

Shakey1500 · 23/08/2012 21:13

I can only echo what other have urged, towards seeking help fast. Even if we are all wrong, please do it. All the best

Rhinestone · 23/08/2012 21:14

missalarmclockhater - in the nicest possible way, I'm concerned that your input on this thread isn't very helpful to the OP. If you feel like the OP does then I would urge you to get help too, as a matter of urgency.

But please do not give the OP the impression that her thoughts are normal as they're not and we're all very concerned about her.

I hope you take note of all the advice on this thread and speak to your GP too but please please could you not post anything which reinforces the OP's thoughts.

NameChangeGalore · 23/08/2012 21:17

Op I hope you've taken the advice here and went to see a doctor or went to a&e.

Emerging · 23/08/2012 21:20

Alameda Yes, having the baby was the major life event I was referring to.

Firebat If you don't mind, could you let me know how it progressed from being just an 'invitation' to you actually taking an overdose yourself. I ask because I have had episodes of feeling suicidal in the past (long ago thank goodness), and feel so far from it now that I can't imagine how it can change suddenly into that.

JustFabulous I don't want to die as in kill myself, nor do I actually want to lose this life and everything/everyone in it. But the way I felt was just indescribable... literally more REAL than anything else, and it was more like I was looking across a bridge to the other side. Death really did seem to be more like a transition than an ending. I should add that I am not a religious person (although I was raised as such), and have settled on an agnostic/humanist belief system for the past several years.

bunnywhack I'm not alone right now, my DH is home now and I will be spending tommorow all day with family.

I'm very sorry I can't reply to everyone, but hope I have answered some of the main questions raised. I don't have much time left tonight before we all bed down for the night, but I will definitely look at the links about psychosis. I suppose nobody ever does, but I don't feel irrational or 'out of touch'. Reading about others who've experienced similar is very helpful though.

OP posts:
SageYourOracle · 23/08/2012 21:23

I'm so glad you posted that, Rhinestone.

Missalarmclock- I hope you can get some support for how you're feeling too.

OP, you have been given excellent advice on here tonight. Please, please seek help and do it now. You can go to A&E and they will take care of you. Chubfuddler's link is very helpful too, I feel.

You need to do this for you and for your baby.

missalarmclockhater · 23/08/2012 21:25

Thank you but I don't need support, I'm not suicidal I just want to die. I apologise for replying to the OP, I thought I knew what she meant but clearly misunderstood. I hope you feel better soon Emerging.