A sudden, baffling urge to jump or do something self-destructive, with no intent to act on it..
“The call of the void” — the sudden, fleeting, inexplicable urge to do something self-destructive when able to, classically the impulse to jump while at a height, despite having no desire or intention to act on it.
Not aversive dread but an intrusive pull toward the danger, usually felt with surprise and unease rather than terror. The specific height-linked subtype of intrusive thought, which psychology names the “high place phenomenon.” Crucially distinct from suicidal ideation — the urge does not necessarily reflect a wish to die.
“the call of the void” (appel “call” + du vide “of the void/emptiness”).
A transparent French phrase: appel “call” (from appeler, Latin appellāre) + du vide “of the void” (vide, Latin vacuus/viduus “empty”).
Entered English-language psychology as the “high place phenomenon” after Hames, Ribeiro, Smith & Joiner (2012), who reframed it as a possibly misinterpreted survival/safety signal rather than a death wish.
Frequently romanticized online as a poetic “death wish.” This is contested: research finds the urge is common, often arises in people who have never been suicidal (~50% in one study), and may reflect the brain's avoidance/survival response — it is NOT inherently suicidal.