CALL OF DEATH

Have you ever considered what might happen if you jumped while standing on a roof, bridge, ledge, or another high place? Most likely, this urge appeared out of nowhere and vanished just as quickly.

It turns out that this compulsion has a name. The urge to throw yourself into a void is referred to as the call of the void (l'appel du vide in French). Despite being unsettling, it happens quite frequently. Additionally, it has nothing to do with having suicidal thoughts.

In fact, a 2012 study —the only one to date— suggests that this urge might have a simple, scientific explanation.

What are a few typical examples?

Since people frequently experience the call of the void while standing in a high place, it is also known as the high place phenomenon (HPP). You might also feel this kind of impulse when engaging in other activities that carry a high risk of harm.

Call of the void, for instance, can elicit ideas or urges to:

• While driving, jerk the wheel and veer into oncoming traffic.
• Jumping off a boat or bridge into very deep water
• Jump in front of a train or stand on train or subway tracks
• When holding a knife or other sharp object, cut yourself.
• Insert a metal object into an outlet
• Your hand into a garbage disposal or a fire.

You quickly resist these urges when they arise by assuring yourself that you would never act in such a way. Any of those scenarios would result in what you already know. Despite how quickly the thought passes, you still consider doing it.

Is it normal?

“Yeah, this feeling is common and normal."

The 2012 study's authors discovered that among 431 students:

More than half of those who said they had never considered suicide had some form of HPP, such as having the urge to jump or imagining jumping.

HPP was present in about 75% of people who had previously had suicidal thoughts of some description.

People who were more sensitive to anxiety symptoms but had fewer suicidal thoughts appeared to be more susceptible to HPP.

What causes it?

Nobody is certain. The researchers of the first and only study (so far) to examine HPP have provided some explanation.

They came to the conclusion that HPP is probably connected to your brain's wiring after speaking with 431 undergraduate students with various mental health backgrounds.

Survival instincts

When you look down from a high vantage point or are in another potentially hazardous situation, your brain sends a warning signal, such as "Back up!" or "Don't touch that!"

This signal occurs quickly, and you instinctively back up, possibly without realizing it. When you reflect on what happened, you might mistakenly believe the safety warning was a desire to jump.

Anxiety sensitivity

Why does your mind wander there? Why would you consider jumping if you don't want to die or hurt yourself?

This is where anxiety sensitivity may come into play. The authors discovered that people who have a high anxiety sensitivity, or fear of anxiety symptoms, are more likely to have HPP.

Anxiety sensitivity frequently includes believing that a pounding heartbeat indicates a heart attack or that panic symptoms indicate that you will faint or even die.

According to the authors, those with higher anxiety sensitivity are more likely to interpret an unknown signal as dangerous.

Study limitations

This study did not prove the mechanism of this signaling system conclusively, and it had several other limitations.

Despite the relatively large sample size, all participants were students, with the majority being white. It also only looked at one sample, so more research with a larger, more diverse group could provide more evidence.

The authors also suggested that sensation seeking could play a role in HPP and that this be investigated further. They also mentioned the need for more research into how anxiety sensitivity contributes to this phenomenon.

Does it mean anything?

When it comes down to it, you probably don't have to be concerned about hearing the call of the void. Keep in mind that you're in good company. Many people have similar thoughts and desires, even if they don't express them.

Most of the time, these thoughts have no serious or significant meaning. There is no evidence that they contribute to any mental health condition or suicidal ideation when they occur on their own and do not cause you long-term distress.

Consider what your reaction to these thoughts tells you if you are concerned about the possible underlying meaning. You're acting on your desire to keep living by stepping away from a window or ledge, not driving into traffic, and assuring yourself that you'd never do those things.

When to get help

It's important to remember, however, that the call of the void can mirror suicidal ideation. If you have suicidal thoughts, you are more likely to experience the call of the void.

Many people have suicidal thoughts without ever making a clear suicide plan or even intending to act on them. If you have suicidal thoughts, it is still best to speak with a professional, especially if they persist over time.

It’s also a good idea to talk to someone if you have symptoms of depression or anxiety, including:

• frequent worries
• hopelessness
• trouble concentrating
• sudden or rapid mood changes
• sleeplessness or difficulty getting out of bed
• feelings of doom
• persistent loneliness

Intrusive thoughts

These impulses can also be considered intrusive thoughts if they happen again and again and get in the way of your daily life.

Intrusive thoughts happen to most people from time to time. On their own, they generally aren’t a cause for concern.

They can be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, so it’s best to talk to a therapist or your healthcare provider if you experience frequent intrusive thoughts, especially if:

• they cause distress
• they happen constantly
• they keep you from doing things you want to do
• you need to perform some type of behavior in order to relieve them

The bottom line

If you’re among those who experience the call of the void, it’s usually nothing to worry about. It’s just one of those interesting, mildly scary, not-yet-fully-understood weird tricks of the brain that a lot of people experience.

If this urge does happen along with thoughts of suicide, if you consider actually acting on it, or even if it just bothers you a little, talk to a mental health professional as soon as you can.