Demystifying the Call of the Void
Have you ever stood on a roof, a bridge, a ledge, or any other high place and wondered, “What if I jumped?” This urge probably came out of nowhere and disappeared as swiftly as it arrived.
Turns out, this urge has a name. The call of the void (in French,
l’appel du vide) describes this impulse to hurl yourself into, well, a void. While unnerving, it’s actually a pretty common experience. It also has nothing to do with suicidal ideation.
In fact, a 2012 study — the only one exploring this phenomenon to date — suggests this urge may have a relatively straightforward, scientific explanation.
What are some common examples?
The call of the void is also known as high place phenomenon (HPP), since people often feel it when standing somewhere high up. You could also experience this type of impulse when doing other things that involve a high risk of danger.
For example, call of the void can involve thoughts or urges to:
- jerk the steering wheel and turn into oncoming traffic while driving
- jump into very deep water from a boat or bridge
- stand on train or subway tracks or jump in front of a train
- cut yourself when holding a knife or other sharp object
- put a metal object into an electrical outlet
- stick your hand into a fire or garbage disposal
Is it normal?
Yep, this feeling is both normal and common.
The authors of that 2012 study found that among 431 students:
- More than half of those who reported never having suicidal thoughts experienced HPP in some way, either imagining jumping or having an urge to jump.
- About three-quarters of those who had previously experienced some kind of suicidal ideation experienced HPP.
- People with more sensitivity to anxiety symptoms but fewer suicidal thoughts seemed more likely to experience HPP
What causes it?
No one knows for sure. The authors of the first and only study (so far) to look at HPP have offered a bit of insight.
After interviewing 431 undergrad students with varying mental health backgrounds, they concluded that HPP is likely related to the wiring of your brain. ...