Almost overwhelming desire to throw myself from tall buildings

[stevelaker]

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?

[Marijn]

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.

[Marijn]

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]

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!

[DrFilth]

stevelaker please NEVER get a job as a steeplejack

[sleepy1]

i always think the same ...hope we are not mad ?

[Lakitu]

You're out of order, Joe-King.

[DrFilth]

Lakitu were you on the M53 on saturday ?

[Marijn]

It's not unbalanced. "It's The Imp of the Perverse".See the link.

[Lakitu]

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?

[DrFilth]

Lakitu i hope not , i was only joking

[sp1214]

Maybe you're just suicidal?

[newtron]

I have the same urge when I am up high on a cliff in the mountains.

[dot.hawkes]

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]

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]

Your all talking to yourselves, as he has not answered he's probably jumped.