Need To Vent About Crisis Line

[Justmehere]

I called a crisis line. Explained my symptoms. First question was, "what can I say to you that would be helpful?"

I told them I didn't know.

They then asked what has helped in the past...

For some reason, that triggered massive anger. I hung up so I would yell at them.

My therapist is on vacation. I'm close to going to the ER. Argh!!!

 

[new gamma rays]

I"m disappointed a lot when I call those numbers. The person who answers seems so matter of fact, like "okay, you called me: tell me your problem right off the bat.' It can be awkward without a person who is engaging, but I don't think many are trained to be a source of comprehensive help. Maybe if you had a script or specific problems to talk about it would help.

 

[risingsun]

For some reason, that triggered massive anger.

I can totally relate. I chatted online with a crisis center and I was over the edge when my therapist fired me and I discussed how I felt badly that my therapist was angered over another instance of self injury, which is something that does not happen on a continual basis. That was one of the reasons she fired me. The other was my being too depressed. So I was feeling badly in a crisis kind of way, hence why I initiated the chat in the first place. And the crisis person was like "well you did break a promise to her and you should feel bad." And here I was on the edge?

Anyway, I have had experiences with some good ones on crisis chat but this, unfortunately, was not one of those times.

Try to hang in there until your therapist comes back but if you need to go to the ER at any point, I wouldn't hesitate. Sorry for your negative emergency experience with the chat line.

Try to do anything to take your mind off of things. It could be a project of any sort. You can do this. My prayers are with you. Rising Sun.

 

[FindingMyself88]

I am so sorry, I never find them helpful either. *gentle hugs*. Please take care of yourself, however that looks like for you. If you need to go to the ER, please do. I want you here, we may not have ever met, but you mean a lot to me as a friend. Hold lizzie close, find a good book to read, maybe a good movie you like. Eat something you love. Just know we are here for you! Sending positive and encouraging thoughts your way!

edit- I do have to correct myself. Only ONCE did I find a crisis chat person helpful and it was when I attempted suicide. I called before and talked to someone who had to go. Hung up and i attempted, then someone called back. I talked to her and she stayed on the phone with me while I texted my roommate to come take me to the ER. The same lady called later to check on me and then found out I was admitted, called the week after I got out and checked in on me.

 

[joeylittle]

I've had nothing but rough experiences with the crisis lines; I noticed that the one time I was using a different phone and routed into the midwest, they were a little more on the ball (normally I'm routed to the East Coast, cell phones, gotta love 'em)

But I have had great success with the chat crisis line. Since it's typing, it seems much easier for them to just ask questions. http://www.crisischat.org/ - it's all the same Lifeline organization, which is essentially part of the national network in the US, but the feel of it is entirely different.

It's often hard to get on, because it doesn't have a ton of operators. But you might give it a go.

Something else I've done is just go and sit in the ER waiting room. If asked why I'm there, I'll say that I'm having a rough time with my depression (or PTSD) and wanted to be closer to help if I felt like I couldn't manage it on my own. As long as you can say this with a relatively calm demeanor, and that your emotional battles are more inner than outer, I can say that this has worked well for me in different hospitals in different states in the US.

Don't be afraid to go in if you need to.

 

[Justmehere]

Thanks all. I'm filled with anxiety, but different than normal. My stomach is in knots. It hurts. Somehow I feel hopeless about getting better from PTSD. I'm questioning therapy. I don't even know why. My life is stressing me out. I don't even know why. I don't know what I need or want.

Crisis lines have helped before, but tonight I'm so anxious over nothing... I'm listening to my dog breathe.

I had a thought today that really scared me. I think that is part of what brought this on.

Ya know, I think it would have helped her to say, "here's a million dollars and a cure for PTSD!" Hey, I can dream.

 

[Fadeaway]

I have horrible luck as well. Last time i called one, I was feeling very suicidal. I was told to sleep it off.

In the past I have been asked, "Don't you have family or friends you could talk to about it?" If I did, I wouldn't need to call a crisis line now would I? I find that question so insulting.

This site is more helpful than any crisis line I have encountered. :hug:

 

[ghotiff]

I haven't had good luck with crisis lines either, particularly when I was a child.

Sending some supportive energy your way.

 

[Lucycat]

I have never used a crisis line and almost all the examples here are very negative. What does a good example look like? What would be helpful for them to say? I suppose what I am really asking is what is their purpose?

As for the suggestion to sit in A & E waiting room, you absolutely could not do it in my town. The hospital has no resident doctors. The on call doctor is telephoned to come in from home whenever a patient presents, so you can see they would not permit someone to sit waiting to decide if the doctor should be called or not. On the other hand there is never a queue.....