The Call of the Void: A Morbid Intrusive Thought

We've all felt it but what is it and how can we deal with it?

The call of the void, also known as the high-place phenomenon or ‘l'appel du vide’ in French, is a morbid and intrusive thought or urge to jump from a high place. It can also show up in spiritual/meditation practices.

It is a common enough experience that is not associated with suicidal ideation.

The urge is often accompanied by a sense of fascination or curiosity, rather than a desire to harm oneself.

What is the call of the void?

The call of the void is a sudden, unwanted thought or urge to jump from a high place. Something in the space between where we are and the ground below us seems to call to us.

We’re curious beings, us silly humans so we want to know what’s in the void, or, at least, what it feels like to be in it momentarily.

This can happen when you are standing on a cliff, balcony, or other high place. The thought is usually fleeting and does not last very long. However, it can be very distressing.

The first time I experienced it I would’ve been around eight, maybe nine years old. I wasn’t up particularly high, although at the time I would’ve thought I was. A friend of my father’s was harvesting barley in one of our fields and I really, really, really wanted to get in the cab of the combine harvester with him.

I was allowed. He stopped and I got up the ladder and sat in the cab and got to fiddle with some buttons and pedals and we did a lap or two of the field. It was so dusty and I was coughing like I’d been smoking 40 cigarettes for 40 years.

After the second lap my Dad walked over to us and signaled for me to get off. John, the contractor, slowed down and stopped and I stood out on the platform looking down on the reel (for you non-rural folks, that’s the scary bit at the front with the blades and forks and dangerous spikey things) and this huge, ungodly massive urge came over me to jump right into it. And then it was gone. But it wasn’t the last time I was to feel such an urge.

Who experiences the call of the void?

The call of the void is a common experience. It is estimated that up to 60% of people will experience it over their lives.

It seems to be more common in people who have a history with anxiety or a history of anxiety disorders.

However, it can also happen to people who do not have any mental health conditions. It’s just something that seems to kick-in when we find ourselves in high and dangerous places.

Recently, I came across a Reddit thread where sailors wrote about their experiences of the call of the void. Some spoke of being alone, on deck, late at night under a blanket of stars and hearing the water lapping against the hull of the ship. As they looked into the great beyond of the horizon the same urge to walk or jump over the edge came upon them.

It made me wonder about all the poor lost souls who didn’t resist the call.

What causes the call of the void?

We have absolutely no idea what causes it.

It is thought to be related to the brain's natural risk assessment system, when we are in a dangerous situation our brain automatically assesses the risk and triggers a fear response.

Obviously enough, our fear response is designed to keep us safe. However, in the case of the call of the void, the brain seems to overestimate the risk or it provides conflicting information. This is what leads to a sense of fascination or curiosity about the possibility of jumping/falling.

In my experience it doesn’t just involve high and dangerous places however. We hear so much of ‘the abyss’ in spiritual circles, or indeed ‘crossing the abyss’, more commonly known as ‘the dark night of the soul’.

Strange things happen when you’re very deep in mediation and I’ve felt the void calling on a few occasions.

It felt dreadful, disgusting even, where you’re being tempted to take a ‘step’ into the unknown and unfamiliar. But what does this represent? Surely it would be either what’s called ‘ego death’ or, a part of it, or it may well be a call from the divine to surrender to it and let what comes, come.

I’d prefer it to be the second one but maybe that’s a trick of the ego. Or maybe it’s both?

Is the call of the void dangerous?

The call of the void is not harmful in and of itself. Acting on it is, of course.

It is important to remember that it is a very common experience. However, if you are experiencing the call of the void frequently or if it is causing you distress, it is important to talk to a therapist or counselor.

They can help you to understand the phenomenon and develop coping mechanisms to manage it.

How to cope with the call of the void

There are a number of things you can do to cope with the call of the void. These include:

Ground yourself: When you feel the urge to jump, stop and breath and ground yourself in the present moment. Focus on your senses and your surroundings.
Talk to someone: Talking to a therapist or counselor can help you to understand the call of the void and develop coping mechanisms.
Avoid high/dangerous places: If you find that the call of the void is triggered by being in high places, stay away from them as much as you can.
Practice relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation can help to reduce anxiety and make it less likely that you will experience the call of the void.

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Hi, I’m Paddy. Thanks for reading my article. I’m a counselor, coach and meditation teacher.

If you’d like to contact me regarding a counseling session or about writing, you can contact me here. My different social media channels are here.

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