Is it normal to feel this bad over the suicide of a stranger?

65% Normal
12 Comments

So this woman committed suicide by jumping off of an overpass. She survived the fall but then got hit by a car. I sat in traffic for about an thirty minutes and when I finally got past the scene, the body wan't covered up too well so I got a full gaze, couldn't avoid it at the speed that I had to go. She had died about 30 minutes earlier, and the scene made me cry for a while. Felt bad for the woman. I originally thought it was a guy, though. Mainly felt bad for her family.

So I was on base waiting in line for my decal and heard from the woman behind me about the "woman" that jumped off the overpass, and I immediately felt very very guilty for thinking she was a guy.
This is my regular route home from work, and my first time seeing a body in that condition. I drove home from work the next day and saw the two massive bloodstains on the road as I passed through (they were in my lane). They freaked me out hardcore.

Now I am afraid that her ghost is pissed off at me for talking about her like this and thinking she is a guy.
I also feel very guilty for it, and I feel sorry for her and her family and I can't stop thinking about it. Is it normal to be this disheartened by the suicide of a stranger, and is it normal to think that her ghost is pissed at me?

Voting Results
65% Normal
Based on 63 votes (41 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • Aurora93
    12 years ago

    It's normal. But she won't be annoyed at all, she'll just be really flattered that you care so much. :)

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      12 years ago

      You sure? I've really been trying to downplay how upset I am, and I haven't been able to sleep without my TV on for the past few nights because I am a bit nervous that she might come at me as a spectre. My family is into spectres so they put the thought in my head.

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      • Aurora93
        12 years ago

        Honestly, even if ghosts did exist, she wouldn't come looking for you for something as trivial as that. She'd be off haunting the person that made her commit suicide.

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        • Anonymous Post Author
          12 years ago

          That's... actually a great point.

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  • XxSnowLotusxX
    12 years ago

    yes even the sight of death or something horrible happening can lead to trauma and stress as well as shock. for example after 9/11 many people who didnt even experience it developed post traumatic stress disorder I suggest if you continue feeling this way about it see a therapist

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  • Angel_in_a_Glass_Dress
    12 years ago

    it doesn't matter that it's a stranger. you saw the results of a suicide.

    it's normal to be bothered by the sight of death, especially something so graphic.

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  • mmmmffkf
    12 years ago

    That you care so much completely overrides any negative thoughts you might have had! And it was just a mistake, so don't stress at all. You've done nothing wrong :) there's no point in worrying over things you can't change!

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  • sleepyhead
    12 years ago

    omg u live in San Diego huh...I heard about that...and the worse thing is today a man did the same...jumped off a bridge...it's sad because u think what could have been so bad that they thought this was their only option

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      12 years ago

      Yeah, I do. There have been a lot of instances of suicide and murder suicide lately and I live and work near the 805 and 125, both are becoming hotspots for jumpers, especially the 125 south ramp. I use them all of the time.

      Thankfully it is raining today so that blood stain should diminish.

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  • zchristian
    12 years ago

    I dont think she would haunt you because you thought she was a man that would not be a good reason at all.

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  • ToddStellar
    12 years ago

    I don't believe that people come back as ghosts, but lets say she did, how would she know that you thought she was a man?
    In either case, I am sorry you had to witness such a down cast act, maybe find someone in person you can talk to about it.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      12 years ago

      Because I told my husband and uncle that some poor dude jumped off of an overpass. When I found out it was a woman I told my husband that I thought it was a man.

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