Which decisions are similar to committing suicide?

[noname223]

I had this question recently in mind. Ending ones life is a really existential question which should be thought through before acting on it.

For me making decision is often quite difficult. Due to my depression and OCD I really struggle to make important decisions, I struggle even with way less existential questions.

I think maybe committing suicide can barely be compared with other questions but I try it.

To murder another human being. I think there are parallels but the component that the violence is directed not towards oneself is completely different. It is a weird feeling wanting to kill yourself. The relationship one has to oneself is very unique. Due to intersubjectivity it is hard to look as us in an objective way. The concept to kill oneself seems to be against our nature. At least this is how I perceive it. I have the feeling some people can be more distant and abstract about hurting another human being.

Another decision is procreating. It is more or less the opposite of killing oneself. Though I think many people procreate with way too less thoughts on it. I think the act of procreation is not the most existential part. It is rather act of giving birth. Many people describe this as kind of life changing. Experiencing how new life comes into existence. (Though I would have prefered my parents just had used some contraceptives. Lol.)

Maybe another example. When someone is really really depressive and has this OCD of not being able to make decisions and this person is under huge pressure to make a life changing decision. But I can't really think of a good example for now.

What are your thoughts on it?

 

[Al_stargate]

Good question but I don't think there are any equivalents to ctb. The examples you wrote come the closest. Or maybe going under surgery with high mortality risk where you have to make a decision if it's worth it.

 

[novem]

Cutting all ties with people you know and hoping to meet new people somewhere else.

Being stupid and surrounding yourself with even more stupid but manipulative people so that you do awfully stupid things but guess who will be the loser.

 

[Extreme_weather]

Extreme defiance and determination is what actually is.

 

[FuneralCry]

Only a decision that has a chance of resulting in our own death can be similar to committing suicide, but to me nothing can really compare. In the case of my life, suicide would be the best decision as it would permanently end all suffering. I see no point to suffering for decades just to die eventually. Each day I stay alive is just another day to suffer.
It is the biggest life decision in my opinion, whether to take our own lives. It makes other decisions that may seem important to us now, suddenly seem so insignificant.

 

[demuic]

Knowingly doing things that will shorten your lifespan or increase your risk of death.

 

[Fadeawaaaay]

Checking out entirely. Ignoring your friends. Stop paying bills. Quit exercising and eating well. Killing time.

 

[its-about-time]

Buddhist enlightenment, various forms of ego death

About murder — some months ago I was very suicidal for a completely different reason, it was out of anger and spite and revenge towards a long-ago therapist, wanted to kill myself in front of her. It felt nothing like being suicidal. It really felt like I'd be murdering myself. Like just straight up fucking murder. Nothing suicidal about it. I was wanting to rage-quit and destroy the person I hate—me. Didn't hold much distinction between the two until that period of time.