"Is suicide a nanosecond of madness that corrects itself as soon as it occurs?" I think so, yes. My old doctor many a time referred to it as an impulse, that will subside if you let it. However, I think if it's on your mind for huge periods of time, then yes, of course, it becomes something more serious and people are more likely to go off somewhere quiet. I, however, do not think that it is purely done for attention; I'd hate for anyone to know about mine.