Quote:
Originally Posted by Jamie89
I know someone who's brother committed suicide by jumping off a bridge, and although I don't understand it either, I don't think it's attention seeking. He hadn't sought any kind of help before doing it, he hadn't shared any of his problems with anyone, I think if it was just attention seeking he'd have done things like that, and he wouldn't have actually jumped. I don't know why he did it though, or what he was going through.
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Yeah jumping off a bridge is different than doing it in a mall. If I had to choose (not remotely suicidal here), it would be one of my choice methods because the public exposure is potentially more limited (at certain hours) and better than a family member finding a body at home. Though all suicide is inherently selfish, especially if going by culture. In other cultures though, especially ones that are less individualistic; more group-based, it can be seen as largely unselfish in light of one's failed standing or burden on the overall group (generally society). Like an elderly person who can no longer take care of themselves and is a burden in family. That was common in Japan after the To'hoku earthquake and nuclear evacuation.
Vicky's post seems like it is most likely referring to incidents regarding those who make a scene of it in order to be talked down. I agree with her mostly, but I would change the label a bit from "attention seeking" to "cry for help" in most cases. Though the latter is still technically attention seeking.
My husband works in a mental health unit in a detention facility and he sees more of the attention-seeking variety, but the environment is likely to reinforce those behavior patterns in the dysfunctional (i.e. the person is in depowering position and works with the staff on a more child-like level). As long as they pretend to be sick and are truly in need, they will exaggerate situations in order to get the intended result, so usually it is a goal-oriented statement. You see the same thing in nursing homes really.