I think a key to a martyr complex means that the public has to know how you suffered to do what you actually did. It's not just credit for saving the world, but an appreciation of all you sacrificed to do so.

I've known a couple of attempted suicides. One, I think, wasn't passive aggressive, even though she knew most of her attempts wouldn't work. Somehow, and I can't articulate it, it was just aggressive. The other was pure and simply passive aggression in a whiny "my corpse has to look pretty so he will cry harder at the funeral" way, while never EVER doing anything that would even result in a headache. I have to say, I did remind her that she lived on the tenth floor and that her window opened all the way. It didn't matter. She needed the feedback--being dead would have robbed her of savouring reaction.

Sophia, your injuries sound really serious! I wish you the best and quick healing. I'm sorry.

I've thought about committing suicide several times a year since the onset of puberty. I've never actually done a run-through, but I've researched methods.

Without moving the conversation from the abstract can I say that I and all the Buffistas are firmly opposed to this. Ultimately your decision, but since you've mentioned it publicly please stay around. You are good people, and entertaining besides. We'd all feel awful no matter how discreetly you did it.

Indeed, Spidra, what Gar said. With sprinkles on top and so forth. The world needs to continue to appreciate the wonders of you in the Wonder Woman Corset.

Plus, singing!

what 'suela said.

and did you look at literary consuela?

I'm a big believer in the idea that people very often don't know the real reason they do things, but just rationalize their behavior after the fact.

Oh, me too. And I'll go dig up the book now to see if I'm remembering it accurately, heh.

ETA: Crumbs, it's not here. Which means it's either at my mom's, or I lent it to someone. How irritating.

A hero type martyr does it out of pure altruism, expecting nothing in return.

I'm thinking of people who set themselves on fire in protest. That's pretty explicitly an attempt to manipulate people, but it can still have an altruistic intent.

RIP Paul Gleason . He played the principal in "The Breakfast Club" and the bad guy private investigator Clarence Beeks in "Trading Places."

Alert: M'n'Ms has come out with special promotional Pirates of the Caribbean M'n'Ms. They are jewel-toned and some had tiny skulls and crossbones on them. How could one resist!?

I was in desperate need of a nap. I got 30 minutes; woken by phone call (unanswered); 30 minutes; woken by 2 phone calls (unanswered); 15 minutes (answered the goddamned phone.) mr. flea and Casper are still asleep after an hour and a half.

This is probably why I need naps in the first place.

As a clinically depressed person, I've heard the dark voice of the black hole calling me. I only attempted to kill myself once and it was a pretty lame attempt. I've thought about it more. I was on my way to planning when I decided to try getting help. That's probably why I'm still alive.

I think most people who seriously attempt or succeed at suicide or murder/suicide are depressed = crazy.

Sane people want to live and have survival instincts.

RIP Paul Gleason . He played the principal in "The Breakfast Club" and the bad guy private investigator Clarence Beeks in "Trading Places."

Aw. 67 is too young. (I bet you know him from somewhere else, Narrator...)