Your Morbid Intrusive Thoughts Are Actually Pretty Common
Let's talk about "The Call of the Void."
Have you ever found yourself driving on a highway, and then out of nowhere, you’re ambushed with the thought of what would happen if you just drove off the rode? Or maybe you’re standing on a ledge somewhere and the thought of what would happen if you just…jumped…creeps in?
Of course, you’d never tell anyone about it, because you feel crazy for even thinking these things. Especially since these intrusive thoughts may happen more than you’d like to admit.
But what if I told you they’re actually pretty common and an actual thing?
“The Call of the Void”
"The call of the void" (also known as "l'appel du vide" in French) refers to the sudden, often inexplicable urge to engage in dangerous behaviors, such as steering a car off the road, jumping from a high place, or touching a hot surface.
This phenomenon is a type of intrusive thought, which can be both perplexing and unsettling to those who experience it.
So, what does it mean?
Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, involuntary thoughts, images, or impulses that can be distressing. "The call of the void" is a specific type of intrusive thought that involves a fleeting, irrational impulse to do something harmful or dangerous.
Despite its alarming nature, this phenomenon is relatively common and is not necessarily indicative of a desire to harm oneself or others.
Some examples of "the call of the void" include:
Standing on the edge of a cliff and feeling a sudden urge to jump.
Driving a car and briefly considering veering into oncoming traffic.
Holding a sharp object and imagining using it on oneself or others.
These thoughts are typically brief and are not accompanied by a genuine desire to act on them (the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 800-273-8255).
People who experience these thoughts usually dismiss them quickly and continue with their activities.
Why does this happen?
There are several theories as to why "the call of the void" occurs:
Misinterpretation of Survival Instincts: Some researchers suggest that these thoughts may be the brain's way of reinforcing survival instincts. By presenting a dangerous scenario, the brain prompts a quick mental assessment of the potential risks, thereby strengthening one's resolve to stay safe.
Cognitive Dissonance: The clash between the rational desire to stay safe and the irrational impulse to engage in dangerous behavior creates a state of cognitive dissonance. The mind quickly resolves this dissonance by dismissing the intrusive thought, reinforcing one's commitment to safety.
High-Place Phenomenon (HPP): A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders in 2012 explored the "high-place phenomenon," where individuals standing at a height experience an urge to jump. The researchers found that this phenomenon is common among both individuals with and without a history of suicidal ideation. They concluded that the urge to jump is not necessarily related to a desire to die, but rather to a misfiring of the safety detection system in the brain.
Curiosity and Risk Assessment: Some psychologists propose that these thoughts arise from a natural curiosity about the boundaries of human experience. The brain assesses the potential risks of a dangerous action, leading to a fleeting consideration of what it would be like to engage in it.
Experiencing "the call of the void" does not necessarily indicate a psychological disorder.
However, frequent or distressing intrusive thoughts may be a symptom of underlying conditions such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This is when I also remind you that I am not a licensed mental health professional, so please consult a psychologist if you’re curious about exploring this further.
The amount of times I’ve experienced “the call of the void” and quickly turned my widened eyes away in shame over the fact that I could even imagine such things made me feel like something was wrong with me.
I share this post with you because when I first became aware of this phenomenon, it normalized a lot of experiences that I judged.
As we continue to deconstruct the sometimes secretive limitations we place on ourselves, I hope we offer ourselves the grace to also entertain the idea that maybe we’re experiencing something that people just don’t talk about openly.
Xo