Do You Tell The Truth About Suicidal Thoughts To Doctors?

[canucklady]

just curious. my doctor has asked me a few timees in the past. i can never have the courage to tell her the truth at the time. i always let her know when i am feeling better. i guess i am afraid she would make me go to hospital if i told her about my suicidal thoughts. this past few weeks, i have been feeling hopeless lately

 

[piglet]

I guess it really depends on how much you trust your doc. I have had to ask my doc to give me a smaller prescription a few times - simply because I don't want the temptation. Have you discussed with the doc what might happen if you did feel that way? It might help. Mine usually just tells me to call him if I feel like jumping off a bridge or something. My usual response is: I don't like heights, so that'll never happen. There is an understanding there. That's all you need - you know there's help there if you need it.

 

[nov_silence]

Piglet, I agree with you on the trust thing. I was never really honest with my last psychiatrist either, bc I didn't trust her. She really didn't understand my history.. and any time I went into the hospital, it was bc I chose to or reached out to my counselor or good friend for support in going. Important thing is to have someone you can be straight with.

Canucklady, your doctor is there is be supportive and provide medical insight. She can't make you do anything. Believe me, I can appreciate the fear of being vulnerable... Also, many people struggle with suicidal thoughts... A true professional should not freak if his or her patient expresses suicidal ideation. It's when there is a plan (ie. how one would act on thos thoughts) that concern for a patient's safety comes in to play. Practicing being immediate can help you not so feel isolated (feel crazy, alone, like a freak, etc) with the feelings you are struggling with.

If it is not your doctor upfront, so be it. But it needs to be someone who can help support you in making a healthy decision. Perhaps your counselor can help build that bridge with your doctor.


If and when you do go to the hospital for inpatient support, your doctor can be instrumental in working with the hospital staff in developing and fine- tunning your treatment plan. Please don't let your pride/fear prevent you from getting the support available to you.

 

[GR-ass]

I'll tell my social worker when I am suicidal but I won't tell my doctor. I think it is because, even though I ave known her for less time, I trust my social worker more.

 

[canucklady]

I did talk to my counsellor yesterday. She knew I was feeling down, and kept asking about suicidal ideation, I finally told her the truth. She will call my doctor and talk to her about it, to see if I can get some meds to help me sleep and with anxiety over the holidays. Just seems to be so hopeless. I hate having to deal with PTSD all the time. And hate having to explain to friends/family why I react the way I do.

 

[Terry]

My doc and I kinda have that understanding too. He realizes knee jerk reactions that would happen with work. Has to be reported. Been there many times and never trusted anybody untill this doc.

 

[anthony]

CL, yes you should tell them. They are not going to send you to hospital or lock you up because you have suicidal thoughts, far from it. Suicidal thoughts are normal for PTSD, and especially medicated. Without you saying it, your doctor already knows. What she is looking for, is your honesty so that she can measure how severe they are, whether you need a med change or more appointments need be introduced. Her questions are far from wanting to lock you up just because of suicidal ideation. They don't lock people up just because of suicidal thoughts, or send them to the hospital.

Don't be scared to be honest with your doctor. How many people here I have been through this with already, I could not count, but each one once they come back and say they have been honest with their doctors now, most are getting better support and direction in where healing needs to go. Physicians are not mind readers, and if you are not honest with them they cannot move in the right directions. You MUST be totally honest with them, and not fear things like hospitalization or the like, because that is not what they are about. They want to get you better, but unless you are honest, they can't help you to the best of their capacity.

 

[Anonymoose]

My clinician knows that I will always battle suicidal ideation. We just keep an eye on my symptoms to make sure that I don't develop suicidal intent.

 

[Shoshin]

Yeah, I tell my doc when I have suicidal thoughts.

I am paying the doc to treat the real me. If I don't tell the truth, what's the point?

Anthony is right. Being straight with the T leads to progress. Omitting stuff and dodging the truth just prolongs the process.

And if there is one thing for damn sure, it is that I don't want to be in this same place a year from now.
:crazy:

 

[Cindy]

I learned the hard way!

I use to believe as you pointed out - they will lock me up ....

Whether true or not, the point is everyones concern to keep us safe. A lot of times when we are thinking suicide it is without intent. Instead it is our thoughts of hopelessness. When we are in this state we are not thinking clearly and it is important for us to hear the rational presentation by our therapist to challenge our own distorted beliefs at that time. It is important to also put your therapist on "alert" to recieve phone calls and possibly increased frequency of appointments to get through the tough spot. If you are honest with your therapist the situation should remain in your control.

When I reached the critical stage, twice, I finally admitted over the phone to my therapist, I had had it. I drove myself to the ER and self admitted. The last time - I went to the ER by ambulance. Enough said. I did learn from that experience to open up when I am desperate and hopeless, to vent my anger at myself. I also learned what behaviors support these feelings when I am at the end of my rope and have learned to avoid them when I'm at that point.

Be honest and open about your suicide scale - because it does make a difference with therapuetic strategies and their outcomes. You can always cut a bargain or make a deal if it's in the open. Have someone stay with you a few days, check in calls, etc...

 

[2quilt]

honesty

Your health care provider can only help you if you tell the truth. She would not ask the question if she didn't already think that there was a probability. Get the help you need, when you need it. There's no shame in a hospital stay. You would not deny yourself health care if you had a broken leg, so don't deny yourself the care you need if you feel suicidal. The people that care for you in the hospital enjoy their jobs because they are improving the quality of life of people when they need it most. It's very satisfying work, I hear. If you need to go to the hospital, you will be walking into loving arms. Be honest with them to get the best care and get it quicker.

 

[sunnydaze]

I told my T once, I thought of it when I was in Aruba. I saw a natural bridge that was built from the waters crashing against this particular area. At least that is what I remember. I looked and said what a beautiful place to commit S. I have not been honest with him since so after reading Anthonys post, I will.
sunnydaze