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Unknown userMember
This is a very common concern in therapy, but I thought I would get your thoughts.
How do you balance being honest enough with your therapist that they will be able to help you in a meaningful way and being vague enough that they don't take you to hospital even though you don't need to or don't want to?
That is a horrible sentence, but I hope you get the idea. How bad does it have to be to warrant involuntary admission?
In response to: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
Eden1919Senior Contributor
@Former-Member whenever I have been involuntarily admitted it has been because of multiple factors so like if I said I was feeling suicidal AND I had a plan, means AND an intent to act on those plans in the near future then they would admit me but if i just said i was having thoughts but nothing specific then they would usually just talk to me about it. i hope that makes sense. sorry you are feeling so bad that you are having thoughts like that.
In response to: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
SJT63Senior Contributor
Oh Darling Flo...
ALWAYS be honest with your therapist, please. They are unlikely to have you taken to hospital against your will unless they have a professional, rational fear that you are in danger.
You may not be able to see that danger yourself.
xoxoxo
In response to: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
BowSenior Contributor
@Former-Member I don't ever be fully honest about this anymore. My old psych freaked out, she's admitted that she's not equipped to manage me when in crisis, that's why I don't see her anymore cause I've been there a lot recently. But she called community mental health on me, I back tracked pretty quick, empty promises and all.
I'm frequently in the position of having all 4 that @Eden1919 mentioned, it's scary.
I guess if you don't be fully honest then you cant get the help that you need?
I seen my psychologist today, we discussed it briefly in session.
hope your ok @Former-Member @Eden1919
In response to: Re: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
TideisTurningSenior Contributor
It sounds like you've had some really invalidating experiences trying to talk about suicidal thoughts with therapists @Bow and after that, I can understand wanting to avoid it. Suicide is a tricky subject that many people, professionals included, find tricky to talk about. I wonder how many of them hear a mention and jump into almost over-caution, though it is for a reason. Most professionals you'd go to have a duty of care to ensure the safety of those they work with. Sometimes, reactions that might seem hasty can come from this. But, as @SJT63 highlighted, it's really important to seek that help and talk about it, as scary as that can feel. I've noticed a few people here on the forums prefacing discussions of suicidal thoughts with something like 'I'm safe' (when this is the case) to help the moderators & other staff watching over the forums know they just need to let it out, though when we check in, it generally goes back to that ensuring safety, duty of care and caring for our wonderful members. I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts or insights on navigating this they could share?
In response to: Re: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
BowSenior Contributor
Think if I was honest the majority of the time I would be locked up... should throw the key away.
In response to: Re: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
Eden1919Senior Contributor
@Bow I hope you are ok too
@TideisTurning I think that is a good point if you are feeling safe enough to not do anything but just want to talk about your feelings around the topic @Former-Member maybe it is a good idea to tell your psych that you are feeling safe before hand so they know you are just needing to talk/vent.
In response to: Re: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
AppleblossomSenior Contributor
I was honest throughout late November and December last year. The services were dishonest with me. @Former-Member @Bow Mostly I am very restrained about voicing my own SI. So it takes someone intuitive who knows me to realise how close I am getting.
The services need a lot more levels or protocols of treatments for different lievels of SI, IMO. I was open and left myself open to very damaging experiences.
In response to: Re: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
BunniekinsSenior Contributor
@Eden1919 I agree with Eden1919 as I have said some shocking things that I feel I am capable of to my psychiatrist but have not been admitted (thank god). I just get to see my mental health nurse once a week and my psychiatrist once a month. Seriously you would be shocked as to what has come out of my mouth @Former-Member but still have not been admitted because of the level of care I was getting on the outside plus the majority of the parients where I live a drug affected so my psychiatrist thinks it would be detrimental for my care to be put in the same units with them.
In response to: Re: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
BowSenior Contributor
Good on your for voicing those things @Bunniekins you have a good relationship with your psychiatrist?
So many things that I dare not put a voice to.
In response to: Re: Being too honest about suicidal thoughts?
BunniekinsSenior Contributor
@Bow I have a professional relationship with my psychiatrist but a closer one with my mental health nurse. Seriously Bow the things I have said some would lock me away and just wouldnt get it. It is a shame that you cannot express your inner demons with your psychiatrist. I wish I was in a position to help but with the guidelines often our hands are tied. Just know that you are not alone with the worst of the worst the pea is with you xxx
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
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