Can you cause your own death by the sheer power of your will? Is it possible to command your heart to stop beating? Without any physical act of suicide or deliberate starvation, can a human being die just because they wish to?
While there is plenty of folklore surrounding this topic, the science is disputable. There is, however, something called the nocebo effect, which is the psychosomatic physical damage to a person involved in a clinical study who believes that something harmless like a placebo sugar pill can harm them.
In one unfortunate drug trial, a subject swallowed 26 placebo antidepressants in order to commit suicide and his blood pressure dropped dangerously low. The patient survived. To explore the idea of expiring at will, we reached out to a neurologist with a background in exposing medical hoaxes, a philosopher and expert on death, and an author of books on psychology and spirituality.
Let me see if I have your question right. You aren't asking whether you can a choose to die and b do something or omit to do something as a result and as a means that will quickly be fatal, such as jumping off of a building or opting not to take your heart medication. You are asking whether choosing to die is itself fatal, or perhaps whether choosing to die will be fatal if accompanied by the right state of mind, such as perhaps a strong and sincere desire to die.
Well then, as far as I know choosing to die is not fatal. There are some physiological processes by which the body kills some of its cells. This is apoptosis. Apoptosis is a process by which a cell destroys itself. It is cell suicide. It is usually contrasted with necrosis, in which cells burst and spew their contents onto other cells. The cells of tissue that is damaged by a gunshot or knife wound would undergo necrosis.
In apoptosis, cells break themselves apart and the remnants are absorbed by the body. It can be triggered by the cell itself, when it is damaged or infected. If you are having persistent thoughts about death and dying, reach out to someone in your life who is trustworthy and compassionate. If you don't have someone in your family or group of friends that you can talk to, look to others in your community, such as clergy, counselors, and health care providers.
You can also reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at or visit the website to use the online chat feature any time day or night. These resources are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may be hesitant to talk about suicide openly, as the topic is sometimes considered taboo and there is a pervasive stigma attached to mental illness. Despite popular belief, asking about someone's intentions does not "plant" the idea of suicide in their head.
If your loved one admits they are feeling suicidal, having thoughts about death, or making plans based on those thoughts, the first thing you need to do is make sure they are safe. From there, you can reach out to the appropriate resources for help.
If you are having thoughts of suicide or feeling that you wish you were dead, avoid making any impulsive decisions or taking drastic actions. While the feelings you are having may be intense and distressing, try to remember that they will pass.
If you feel that you are not in control of your life at the moment and that things will never get better, keep in mind that feelings and emotions do not last forever and can change. When you are depressed it can be difficult to recognize that you have an impact on others. The ripple effect of your actions is felt throughout your personal and professional life, your school, and your community. It may not seem or feel like it, but there are people in your life who care about you.
If you reach out to them, chances are they will be more than willing to support you. Even if the people in your life aren't sure how to help, they can be present with you as you work to identify the resources, support, and treatment that you need. If you are having thoughts of death and dying, but no immediate plans to harm yourself, call your doctor or therapist as soon as possible. If you have already been diagnosed with a mental health condition, feeling suicidal can indicate you need to adjust your treatment.
Dealing with racing thoughts? Always feeling tired? Our guide offers strategies to help you or your loved one live better with bipolar disorder. Sign up for our newsletter and get it free. Major Depression. National Institute of Mental Health. Updated February Updated April Simon RI. Current Psychiatry. Frontiers in Psychiatry. Bipolar Disorder. Revised April Suicide Prevention. Revised July 19, Norris D, Clark MS.
Evaluation and Treatment of the Suicidal Patient. American Family Physician. Your Privacy Rights. You might wonder if you should take talk of suicide seriously, or if your intervention might worsen the situation. Taking action is always the best choice. Here's what to do. The first step is to find out whether the person is in danger of acting on suicidal feelings. Be sensitive, but ask direct questions, such as:. Asking about suicidal thoughts or feelings won't push someone into doing something self-destructive.
Rather, offering an opportunity to talk about feelings may reduce the risk of acting on suicidal feelings. You can't always tell when a loved one or friend is considering suicide. But here are some common signs:. If a friend or loved one talks or behaves in a way that makes you believe he or she might attempt suicide, don't try to handle the situation alone:. If you're a teenager who's concerned that a friend or classmate may be considering suicide, take action:.
It may be hard to tell whether a friend or classmate is suicidal, and you may be afraid of taking action and being wrong. If someone's behavior or talk makes you think he or she might be suicidal, the person may be struggling with some major issues — even if suicide is not a consideration at the moment. You can help the person get to the right resources. If a friend or loved one is thinking about suicide, he or she needs professional help — even if suicide isn't an immediate danger.
Here's what you can do:.
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