When Should You Admit To Having Suicidal Thoughts?

[Sherry]

Are you like me, and when the GP or therapist asks if you are having suicidal thoughts, you just quickly dismiss it and say no?

I am not sure at what point thoughts of suicide become problematic. Lately I have been feeling very depressed and have had moments where I seem drawn to ways of putting an end to my pathetic life.

I have 3 methods I have thought up, all very readily available to me. All very simple. In fact it really shouldnt be this easy to end your life. So .. does the fact that I have so far not resorted to using any of these methods, mean that I am unlikely to?

I am confused, I dont want my GP or Therapist to know that I am having these thoughts, but sometimes they worry me. Just what does constitute 'having suicidal thoughts'?

 

[Alibongo]

Hi sherry
I'm so sorry u feel like this. I would probably tell them-especially if u have plans. I just told mine last week and I'm not going to lie it was awful and terrifying (in my experience) but the only way they can help is to know exactly what's going on.
U have to trust that they are trying to do the best for u. Hugs xxx

 

[Sherry]

Hi sherry
I'm so sorry u feel like this. I would probably tell them-especially if u have plans. I jus...

Thanks for your reply Alibongo. If these thoughts continue, I guess I will have to mention it to someone. I have not long come off a series of EMDR therapy, and am meant to be having a couple of months break to see where I am at now. But I just dont like 'where I'm at' right now. But nor do I want to bring forward my next apt. Stuck ............

 

[Deleted member 541]

@Sherry people with PTSD have suicidal ideation. We think about suicide a lot. Driving you car off a cliff. Hoping you die from a massive hapeart attack. Hoping to just plain kill yourself. If your GP knows what PTSD is and how we think, then it would be ok to say to him/her. Yes, I'm having these thoughts, but I have no plan and am not planning to kill myself. Better to be honest with them IMO!!!!

 

[Eagle3]

I always tell them the truth...yes, I have thoughts, I even have a couple of plans and a deadline too, but I'm not going to do anything about it yet. My therapist understands, having been through this himself, and we talk about it whenever I need to. I do have a death wish, and when I was getting my assessment for DARS I told the tester that I'm not actively suicidal right now, but I have a death wish the size of Texas. She understood that, didn't faze her in the least. Its always better to tell the truth, but I always add that I'm not going to do anything about the thoughts or impulses right now...I'm still reasonably safe.

 

[Sherry]

Thank you She Cat and Eagle3. I really appreciate your input. Although I have suffered from PTSD for over 20 years, I only sought help for it and was officially diagnosed about 2 years ago. I guess I still have a lot to learn.
Yes She Cat, the impulse to drive off a cliff or into a tree can be very strong at times. Just a little turn of the steering wheel, so easy. But then I consider the consequences of an 'unsuccessful' attempt. And if that happened, then I figure I would be even worse off and no capability left to finish the job.
Yes, no doubt you're both right - next time I am asked, I will say "I'm not sure .. maybe". Sound fair?