What can someone do to cope with homicidal ideation? And I mean.. really cope. Not just distract, not just think positive, and not just stop being angry. How can one let out the tendencies without being dangerous?
one thing that’s essential to know is that you must never let out anger through aggression. stuff like using a punching bag, ripping paper or punching a pillow will increase your aggression because you will begin to link feelings of anger with aggressive behaviour. it’s the worst way to cope!
i see you’ve been through a lot. if your homicidal thoughts are linked to anger rather than anxiety, they’re probably a power fantasy rather than intrusive thoughts. due to your past feelings of powerlessness your brain is seeking a sense of control and power, and it jumps to violence against others as a way of getting that.
a big tip i’m seeing as i hop around supremely unhelpful google searches is to avoid media with themes of murder and violence. that probably means no more gorey special effects for you, unfortunately! keeping yourself occupied also seems very important; i saw one person with aspd recommend a rigid exercise routine if that’s possible for you (of course, exercise helps with innumerable mental illnesses as well!)
[this thread] of people with aspd talking about it could contain even more useful nuggets of information. give it a read if you have the spoons, i only had a quick glance through this page of it. (be mindful of the warning on the page too!)
all the official (and really unhelpful) sources i’m seeing say counselling is the most essential part of dealing with these thoughts, but i’m sure you have plenty of experience with that, haha.
this is coming from my own mind and i don’t know if any literature supports it as a coping method, but i’d recommend finding something to replace these fantasies with. your mind wants control - how can you get that? imagining yourself as a god shaping and taking care of a world of your own is my first thought, but something different might appeal to you more. i’d recommend writing (or perhaps drawing) fiction and playing video games, especially god games, where a world is under your control and you can do anything you want.
your current interest in special effects could also be changed a little to contribute to this kind of coping! consider changing yourself into fantastical things rather than gorey ones. having ultimate control over your body and appearance while not indulging the violent part of yourself could really help you.
if you didn’t know already, i think it’s important to keep in mind that these thoughts are really common. stealing from wikipedia, “50-91% of people surveyed on university grounds in various places in the United States admit to having had a homicidal fantasy. Homicidal ideation is common, accounting for 10-17% of patient presentations to psychiatric facilities in the United States.”
you’re no monster for what you’ve been through and how it’s shaped you. you’re doing just fine, and it’s awesome you’re looking for better and better ways to deal with this. i wish you the best of luck, friend!














