Sometimes when I'm analyzing my emotions or other people's emotions, I think in terms of primary emotions and secondary emotions. The secondary emotion is what you saw in your friend - his anger. But that was preceded by something else...his primary emotion. That may have been worry, fear for your safety or even fear for your life. He may think SI will lead to suicide. I'll bet if you sit him down and talk to him in these terms, he may be better able to express himself.

Emotions are SOOOOO complicated, and we sometimes don't have the vocabulary to even engage in conversations about it. That's why I like these terms - primary and secondary. I think everyone can related to them.

For instance, recently someone said something that really ticked me off! I replied in anger. Someone else pointed out how hurt I sounded in my reply. Huh...hurt? Oh yeah.....I WAS hurt! But I reacted in anger. Hurt was the first, and primary emotion. But the secondary emotion, the one I actively expressed, was anger! My bad!

I hope that all makes sense. emmy