Shrink Had Me Sign A Release

[sugnim]

Yesterday my shrink had me sign a release form allowing her to talk with my wife. She told me that she is worried that I may try to commit suicide, and she wants to be able to contact my wife to talk with her about this. She told me that there are 4 steps that she may take if she continues to think that I am suicidal: 1. She will call my wife; 2. She will ask my wife to attend therapy with me; 3. She will call the police to ask them to do a welfare check; and 4. She will have me hospitalized.

Now I don't know what to do. I feel that I can't talk with her about these kinds of thoughts & feelings. If she were to call the police, I would be extremely embarrassed. If she were to have me hospitalized, my family would miss out on the income that I would otherwise be earning and I would have to find some sort of excuse to tell my boss & co-workers. It was just awful to hear these things from her, and now I really do not want to tell her about any feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts. But, if I don't tell her those things, then I feel there will almost be no point in going to see her again.

 

[Sandstone]

Are you worried you may commit suicide?

 

[Recovery4Me]

Things I have used when I felt an impasse with my past T. It may not work for anyone else.

Clarified with T an additional plan that allowed my needs to discuss 'suicide ideation' and/or suicide, depression and my changing of meds which led to more depression+ side effects at times. As well topics included how my T viewed himself as offering an safe contact for grounding through phone or sessions during any actual escalation within his protocol boundary appearing to eclipse compassionate communication on helping me navigate my choice of reactions or crisis. It opened many doors for a fulfilling journey within his expertise and allowed me to continue without fear of him.

So perhaps consider explaining your fears to her as you did in the thread. If she does not seem to 'hear' you, consider readdressing your desire to work with someone might allow you to process that all feelings are not facts and become familiar in some aspects of suicide ideation versus when you reach the danger zone.

 

[claire east]

Yesterday my shrink had me sign a release form allowing her to talk with my wife. She told me that she i...

Its hard I suppose as a counsellor has a duty if she feels your indanger of doing something to your self I know you feel like this or is a cry for help because I've said theese things and did them but I wanted help

 

[sugnim]

Thanks everyone. I don't feel scared that I will kill myself. I honestly feel relieved that it is even an option. If I did not have a child who depended upon me, I would certainly kill myself in a minute. I weigh the pros and cons of having a child who is stuck with me for a parent, and a child who is stuck with a parent who committed suicide. I guess I feel that I can't discuss these thoughts now.

 

[Lucycat]

I guess I feel that I can't discuss these thoughts now.

Yes you can - absolutely. Nothing has changed except your psychiatrist has explained the rules that they are obliged to work to,. This at all times means being aware of and responsible for client safety. The psychiatrist always would have involved the police and had you hospitalised - the only thing is that you now know about it.

I have discussed suicide with my therapist and it is really helpful to get it out there in the open and have a discussion without judgement. There is nobody else who is prepared to listen - they simply don't understand. It is certainly not 'out of bounds' to discuss these feelings and thoughts in therapy. It helps everybody to support you if they know a little about what is going on in your head. Just be honest.

 

[Tinyflame]

There is nobody else

I was very lucky, 'somebody' let me. :wideeyed: :notworthy:

I understand they have obligations, but surely there must be more understanding that because it's no one else's fault if it occurs, that there can be a way to only use it if necessary? I know for myself my employer- that'd be it, then I'd have no income, lose my home etc, more loss I couldn't bear. Especially affecting another. :(

I like @Recovery4Me & @Lucycat 's suggestions. They're more,- preventative?

Best wishes to you @sugnim . :hug:

 

[Lucycat]

If she were to have me hospitalized, my family would miss out on the income that I would otherwise be earning and I would have to find some sort of excuse to tell my boss & co-workers.

But what would you tell them if you were dead and how would they get an income then? It is not sensible to work when you are suicidal and is unfair on your colleagues. Of course there are huge differences in what job you do.

but surely there must be more understanding that because it's no one else's fault if it occurs, that there can be a way to only use it if necessary?

Yes, I think it is only a last resort, but it is important that the client knows the ossibilities and the psychiatrist would be wrong to lie and say they would sit back and ignore risks.

 

[Tinyflame]

Ideally it would be by mutual agreement, I would think.

 

[joeylittle]

@sugnim - try suggesting to your therapist that as a counterpoint to that release, you and she agree on a safety contract. Essentially, it means you will promise to participate in keeping yourself safe. A safety contract outlines the steps you agree to take if you ever experience that the suicidal thoughts are overwhelming, and fear you might hurt yourself. It does require that the therapist be willing to trust you, but it will be the step that lets you feel safe in discussing things with her.

It sounds like she is not secure in her own crisis management skills. So you'd probably need to promise that you would call 911 or take yourself to the ER before engaging in any kind of suicidal or para-suicidal action. There may be steps before that, outlining what you should do in an emergent crisis.

A safety contract is a very, very helpful tool.

 

[Ocean5]

Agree with @joeylittle Also, put some suicide/crisis hotlines in your phone.

The fact you signed shows a positive step.

child who is stuck with me for a parent, and a child who is stuck with a parent who committed suicide.

You have thought about what suicide, or attempted, would do to your child. That is great. I was less than 6 when I first had police contacted. Been story of my life it seems sense. You don't want to do that to your child.

As an adult had to have police do welfare checks. Last one got the bad news...

Stay strong. There is hope.