I have interpreted it, and some similar comments, as a way to lessen the pain of expectations and feeling like you're falling short of your own life. The emoti

I have interpreted it, and some similar comments, as a way to lessen the pain of expectations and feeling like you're falling short of your own life. The emotional distance between "perfectly healthy and wonderful" is much much further than "I really could end it and it wouldn't be much difference". At the worst points, looking at it from the bottom of the hole to just that little bit up, makes it bearable enough to eventually start something, and slowly work back up toward okay.