A Good Explanation of the Suicidal Mindset

[Ob La Dee]

The so-called 'psychotically depressed' person who tries to kill herself doesn't do so out of quote 'hopelessness' or any abstract conviction that life's assets and debits do not square. And surely not because death seems suddenly appealing. The person in whom its invisible agony reaches a certain unendurable level will kill herself the same way a trapped person will eventually jump from the window of a burning high-rise. Make no mistake about people who leap from burning windows. Their terror of falling from a great height is still just as great as it would be for you or me standing speculatively at the same window just checking out the view; i.e. the fear of falling remains a constant. The variable here is the other terror, the fire's flames: when the flames get close enough, falling to death becomes the slightly less terrible of two terrors. It's not desiring the fall; it's terror of the flames. And yet nobody down on the sidewalk, looking up and yelling 'Don't!' and 'Hang on!', can understand the jump. Not really. You'd have to have personally been trapped and felt flames to really understand a terror way beyond falling.

David Foster Wallace, author

 

[fox_wannabe]

Well said, thank you.

 

[SentientCreature]

I recently watched a few of his interviews and there's something strangely enchanting about the way he speaks. Perhaps the fact that he committed suicide contributes to that view. It sounds a bit bizarre but I've somehow developed that attraction to suicidally inclined minds over the years. Never read any of his works though.

 

[Darkmoon Queen]

I've seen this before and it's an excellent quote.

 

[it's_all_a_game]

Will always be a personal hero of mine; before I was suicidal I wanted to be an author just like him

 

[drune11]

I recently watched a few of his interviews and there's something strangely enchanting about the way he speaks. Perhaps the fact that he committed suicide contributes to that view. It sounds a bit bizarre but I've somehow developed that attraction to suicidally inclined minds over the years. Never read any of his works though.

I think it's common for such figures to be romanticized (as is common for any celebs that die early) but people like us find something different in them. They've seen and lived in a world that most people never will, so it's interesting to hear their thoughts and ideas because we understand that they have a perspective that is influenced by something extremely rare that we also can identify with.

 

[BottomlessPit]

Whenever this quote is brought up everyone loves it and finds it relatable. I always seem to be the only one for whom that is not the case.
There is no reason why an "abstract conviction that life's assets and debits do not square" couldn't be complimented by specific and real problems (the proverbial fire). And particularly strong willed individuals might kill themselves solely on basis of deeply held convictions, though they might be few and far between.

 

[FuneralCry]

I do agree with this quote. It is very well described. Life certainly is terrifying and I think someday I will reach a point of desperation where I cannot take anymore. Only then will I be able to overcome the survival instinct. Of course only those who are suicidal themselves will be able to comprehend what it is like.

 

[SentientCreature]

There is no reason why an "abstract conviction that life's assets and debits do not square" couldn't be complimented by specific and real problems (the proverbial fire).

Well of course, but the common belief is that the abstract conviction fails miserably when put up against our inherent fear of death, that is when it's unaided by something more potent and readily felt - the specific and real problems.
I guess you're right that there are exceptions to this; I can think of religious fanatics who are willing to die for their faith, but not much else.

 

[Snake of Eden]

I dont know if I would rather jump that be burnt. I really really really have a such fear of heights. I would probably be consumed by fire before I can sum up any courage to leap. Maybe thats just me. Maybe that even works with the analogy for me as well. I probably am to cowardly to even pick a peaceful exit over any amount of despair, hopelessness and torment that life will throw at me. Time will tell

 

[Shadowplay]

Damn!

 

[Darkover]

the heat or smoke would force you to jump out the window has lesser of two evils