As a psychiatrist with many years of experience, I often receive questions like these:
"Lately, I'm not afraid of dying."
"I feel like I'm becoming impulsive."
"In this case, would I be hospitalized?"
"Am I still okay?"
First, I want to tell you:
"Thinking about wanting to die is actually not that rare."
Of course, it's not a problem to be treated lightly.
But you don't have to think that only you are strange or that only you are thinking such things.
In fact, there are many people who suffer in silence while wanting to die.
That's why "not holding it in alone is the first step."
Problems Cannot Be Solved Alone
Serious troubles, not just suicide, worsen the more you keep them to yourself.
There are basically only two ways to solve problems in this world:
- Solve it by yourself
- Solve it with someone's help
When you are truly suffering, you are in a state where you can no longer solve it alone.
That's why "consulting" is necessary.
Those Who Don't Consult Anyone Are at Higher Risk
In fact, surveys of people who died by suicide show that "two-thirds of them had not consulted anyone."
They didn't tell their family. They didn't tell their friends. They didn't tell their workplace.
They just pass away suddenly without saying anything.
Conversely, if they had consulted someone, there's a possibility they could have been saved.
That's why I say:
"If you feel like you want to die, please absolutely consult someone."
There is Always a Reason Behind the Desire to Die
What's important is not just the words "I want to die."
It's the background.
Relationships are painful. Work is hard. A broken heart. Loneliness. Exhaustion.
Or perhaps there is trauma from childhood.
Normally, people don't suddenly want to die for no reason.
Various sufferings pile up, and finally, it manifests in the form of "wanting to die."
So, when you talk to a counselor, I want you to talk about "why it became so painful."
"Wanting to Die" is a Brain Freeze State
I look at this problem from a neuroscience perspective.
The state of "wanting to die" is similar to a computer being frozen.
When a computer freezes, it can often be fixed by restarting.
But in that moment, you think, "It's over."
Humans are the same.
The brain is exhausted and frozen.
Your perspective becomes extremely narrow, and you feel like "there's no way out."
However, many people actually recover after resting, consulting, or receiving treatment—essentially "restarting."
It's not uncommon for someone who seriously wanted to die at the time to say six months or a year later, "Why was I so cornered back then?"
Consulting is Not Just for "Problem Solving"
Many people think, "Consulting is meaningless because it won't solve the problem."
But consulting has a more important role: "venting."
When stress accumulates in the human heart, it expands like a balloon.
And when it exceeds the limit, it bursts.
That results in mental illness or suicide.
But if you release the gas along the way, it won't explode.
That "venting" is what consulting is.
Just Talking Makes People Feel a Little Better
Of course, talking doesn't solve everything.
But even neuroscientifically, suffering becomes lighter.
Stress decreases.
So, it can be family, friends, or experts.
Please talk.
Conversely, if there is someone suffering around you, you don't have to try to solve everything for them.
Just listen to them.
That alone helps them vent.
You can make them feel a little better.
That is a very significant support.
I Don't Want You to Hold It in Alone
I want to die.
I want to disappear.
I'm at my limit.
When you feel that way, the most dangerous thing is not telling anyone.
So, please consult someone.
A hospital. A counselor. A friend. Family.
Don't hold it in alone.
That is the first step.
If there is no one around to talk to, it's also good to first output (write down) your thoughts on paper.
P.S.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Kabasawa's Vision:
"Preventing mental illness and suicide through information sharing."
With this thought, I continue to update X and YouTube and write books every day.
I hope this information reaches those who are currently worrying and suffering.
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