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Science

Almost overwhelming desire to throw myself from tall buildings

Hi all,

Science seemed the most appropriate section to post this question:

Having discussed this with others, I've discovered that I'm not alone in this: when I'm on top of an unenclosed high place, I have an almost irresistible urge to throw myself off.

If I'm in an enclosed environment, I don't get this feeling. So, if I'm on one of the top floors of a tall building, in an office, I'm fine. If I'm on a roof terrace though, or crossing a bridge, the sensation is there.

Is this something primordial in us as Humans, or is there another explanation?


stevelaker  Mon 02/06/08 12:21
notafish
Mon 02/06/08
12:58
Excellent Rating
I think that you think it so strongly because you are acutely aware of how wrong it would be. It is at the fore front of your mind NOT to do it, becuse it is such an important thing NOT to do. The same as if someone had spent all day making a tower out of playing cards you may have an almost irresistable urge to knock it over. But you don't. So you're sane.
notafish
Mon 02/06/08
13:07
If you would like to read a rather wordy yet interesting essay on 'The Imp of the Perverse' by Edgar Allan Poe, you can read it here:

http://www.online-literature.com/poe/33/
Lakitu
Mon 02/06/08
13:54
I have kind of a similar thing, when I'm driving a motorway I get a strong urge to just drive into the central fencing bit. I have no idea why and if push came to shove, I'd be too chicken to do it anyway!
Joe-king
Mon 02/06/08
13:58
let your husband drive then lakitu
that's assuming he is not unbalanced too
DrFilth
Mon 02/06/08
13:58
stevelaker please NEVER get a job as a steeplejack
sleepy1
Mon 02/06/08
13:59
i always think the same ...hope we are not mad ?
Lakitu
Mon 02/06/08
13:59
You're out of order, Joe-King.
DrFilth
Mon 02/06/08
14:00
Lakitu were you on the M53 on saturday ?

Joe-king
Mon 02/06/08
14:02
mmmm whats that sticking in my cheek?????????????
notafish
Mon 02/06/08
14:03
It's not unbalanced. "It's The Imp of the Perverse".See the link.
Lakitu
Mon 02/06/08
14:06
Joe-King, there's a difference between giving your opinion and being downright rude. You fall into the latter on this occassion.

I'm mostly just feeling a bit sorry for you that you took something posted under jokes so seriously. Poor you x

No DrFilth, someone give it go there?
Joe-king
Mon 02/06/08
14:12
don't feel sorry for me
i am in a perfect physical and mental state.
no desire to throw myself off a tall building
no desire to drive into the central reservation

just sat here listening to 22 dreams with my 2n half year old son singing away enjoying the company.
DrFilth
Mon 02/06/08
14:15
Lakitu i hope not , i was only joking
sp1214
Mon 02/06/08
14:48
Maybe you're just suicidal?
newtron
Mon 02/06/08
17:34
I have the same urge when I am up high on a cliff in the mountains.
xerus
Tue 03/06/08
10:42
having experienced this and after some discussion we came to the conclusion that is is simply the potential energy that any object has at a great height to obey gravity
dot.hawkes
Tue 03/06/08
10:47
I have experienced that feeling only once, when there was an open day at the local church and we could climb the church tower! It was scary in my head, but the answer from xeros above does seem to make perfect sense!
wildwood
Tue 03/06/08
21:03
If you're unbalanced then we all must be. I put it down as a by-product of the fear of heights and perfectly natural. I have no problems in a plane except when it banks sharply, but even being on a 10' roof edge will give me the willies.

Sometimes you see those aerial clips on TV taken from a helicopter flying over hills - no problem viewing at any height but when it goes over a hill and then the drop on the other side it alerts me. And this is on TV!
Toureman
Wed 04/06/08
12:16
Your all talking to yourselves, as he has not answered he's probably jumped.
Joe-king
Wed 04/06/08
12:21
lol Toureman
i was just thinking to myself as i read through the thread again that if it was inddeed an OVERWHELMING desire
then how did he manage to post in the first place.

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