Experiencing Violent Urges? Here's Why Professional Help Is Essential

Urges to harm others can be a symptom of serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or personality disorders. They are not a character flaw, and they do not mean you will act on them—but they do require urgent professional evaluation.

Immediate Steps

• If you are in imminent danger of acting on these urges: Call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency department.
• If you are not in immediate crisis: Contact a mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed therapist) as soon as possible. You can also call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the U.S.) for confidential support.

What Treatment Involves

A clinician will assess underlying causes, provide a diagnosis, and develop a safety plan. Treatment may include therapy (CBT, DBT), medication, and addressing any substance use or trauma. With proper care, urges can be managed and safety restored.

You do not have to face this alone—help is available 24/7.